ZAMBOANGA CITY - Two soldiers and a minor were killed when members of the Abu Sayyaf Group attacked two government troopers in Barangay Kagay, Talipao in Sulu.

The two soldiers were travelling on the Patikul-Talipao road on a motorcycle when they were fired upon by the Abu Sayyaf, killing them.

Two children, aged 2 and 11, were also wounded in the incident. They were rushed to the hospital but the two-year-old child died around 12:56 p.m.

The older child is still in an unstable condition at the hospital.

Joint Task Force Sulu dispatched troops to assist the family of the innocent children.

“We are deeply saddened by this very unfortunate incident that killed two of our valiant personnel and an innocent child,” said Major General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., JTF Sulu Commander.

"We appeal to the entire Tausug community not to succumb to the ASG’s desperate move of sowing fear among our people. Hence, I urge the peace-loving Tausug people to strongly condemn this un-Islamic and treacherous act of the ASG," he added.

Relatives of the victims and members of the community expressed their willingness to assist law enforcers in tracking down the ASG and signified their commitment to hunt down ASG members entering their communities, the military said.

“We deeply condemn this very deceitful act of the Abu Sayyaf, who do not in any way represent the Islamic way of living,” said Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command.