Government security forces overrun an Abu Sayyaf camp following a fierce encounter with members of the Al Qaeda-linked local terrorist group in Patikul town, Sulu province, it was learned Sunday.

Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) commander, an ASG bandit belonging to the group led by Radullan Sahiron was killed in the firefight while two Marines were wounded.

Dolorfino said operating units of the Joint Task Force Comet (JTF Comet) encountered the group of Sahiron at Sitio Kanbaddal, Barangay Panglayahan, Patikul town, Sulu around 10:30 a.m. Friday.

Sahiron has up to $1 million bounty on his head offered by the United States government under its Rewards for Justice Program.

The ASG leader played a vital role in the May, 2001 kidnapping of three U.S. citizens and 17 Filipinos from the Dos Palmas Resort in Palawan. Several of the hostages were killed, including one of the three U.S. citizens, Guillermo Sobero. Also among the hostages were Gracia and Martin Burnham.

Dolorfino said sporadic firefight between the government forces and the bandit group went on until afternoon on Friday.

The Wesmincom commander further said the newly-arrived Army Scout Rangers were inserted through heliborne operations.

As a result of the operations, two government troops were wounded and one ASG bandit was killed, said Dolorfino. The body of the slain bandit was dug up from a shallow grave, he added.

Dolorfino said the ASG camp was also captured and the terrorists’ foxholes were destroyed. Assorted ammunition and improvised explosive device were also seized by the military.

The ASG withdrew towards Talipao bringing with them their casualties, said the Wesmincom chief.

Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez, Navy Flag Officer-in-Command (FOIC), cited the ongoing anti-terror campaign in the South.

I really hope that this will be a continuing effort so we will put an end to this group that has been causing a lot of problems in Mindanao, he further stated.