ZAMBOANGA CITY - Government troops continued their clearing operations in the hinterlands of Indanan town in Sulu province after a bloody encounter with suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf group led by Albader Parad and Doctor Abu.
 
The encounter Saturday morning left five Marines and a member of the special action force of the Philippine National Police (PNP) dead.

Thirteen were wounded from the Philippine Marines. Among those injured were two Marine officers, two from the PNP, and one member of the civilian emergency force.
 
The skirmishes started around 10 am Saturday in Sitio Tanduh Pugot in Barangay Sionogan where government troops clashed with around 200 followers of Albader Parad and Doctor Abu.
 
According to PNP reports, government forces overran and captured one of the Abu Sayyaf's main defense posts in Bud Timahu.
 
The PNP maritime personnel on board two "jungkung"-type of boats were conducting sea patrol together with the elements of the Philippine Navy's Special Warfare Action Group.
 
Last Wednesday, troops of the Philippine Marines also had an encounter with the group of Parad and Dr. Abu, and the Marines suffered some casualties. 

Government troops are pursuing the group holding International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) member Eugenio Vagni, who was reportedly sighted in Bud Timahu earlier.