MANILA, Philippines — Around 20 alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf's Ajang Ajang faction clashed with troops at around 7:20 a.m. in Patikul, Sulu on Thursday. RELATED: 29 suspected Abu Sayyaf members nabbed in PatikulThe Ajang Ajang group is suspected of being responsible for the twin bombings of a cathedral in Jolo, Sulu, that killed at least 21 and injured 100 others. Police say they often help the Abu Sayyaf group serving as spotters and finding kidnap-for-ransom victims in southern Mindanao. READ: PNP admits security lapse in Jolo twin bombingsPresident Rodrigo Duterte said earlier this week he believes the attack was done by a suicide bomber couple. Duterte ordered air strikes and for the military to pursue an “all-out war” against the Abu Sayyaf group following the Jolo cathedral attack.

Source: Philippine Star January 31, 2019 13:09 UTC