Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) spokesperson Major Filemon Tan said they have already accounted three soldiers killed in the fighting, including a captain-ranked commander.
Tan said the Abu Sayyaf already suffered 15 deaths and seven wounded, though the military has not recovered a single body.
Tan said troops began advancing to the Abu Sayyaf lair last Sunday ensuing fighting though the clashes became more intense last Tuesday when casualties began to pile up.
"Up to now, sporadic fighting are ongoing. They (terrorists) are concealing themselves as troops continue to clear the area slowly. It (the clearing) is progressing slowly because there (Abu Sayyaf) are snipers," said Tan.
Tan also said that most of the soldiers who got killed and injured were hit by sniper fires. "If we become careless in our advance, we will have many fatalities," he said.
"We have yet to declare it clear because we haven`t reached the end portion of the camp," Tan said. He said the camp is located in a mountainous area and cannot be easily penetrated by armored assets.
Tan said Wesmincom chief Maj. Gen. Mayoraldo dela Cruz has given directives to the operating troops to accomplish the mission while taking into account their safety.
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