BASILAN - Mass evacuation was reported in three barangays in Tipo-tipo, Basilan province, following heavy clashes between government troops and suspected Abu Sayyaf members Wednesday night.

Tipo-tipo town police official Inspector Ayab Sali, in a phone interview, said a firefight is still ongoing around midnight, with loud explosions and gunfire being heard from his end of the line.

He said the firefight may have been an offshoot of an earlier operation launched by the military in a neighboring town.

An earlier statement by the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) confirmed that the military launched a series of airstrikes and artillery bombardment in Punoh Amirul, Barangay Baguindan, Tipo-tipo on July 3 against the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Wesmincom spokesperson Major Filemon Tan, Jr. said an intense gunbattle erupted between soldiers of the Joint Task Group Basilan against at least 150 heavily armed members of the Abu Sayyaf Group led by Puruji Indama and Isnilon Hapilon Wednesday evening.

A local radio station in Basilan manned by Ronda del Basilan reported that barangays that have been affected by the fighting are Silangkum, Baguindan, and Tipo-tipo Proper.

The number of evacuees, as of posting, remains undetermined. The PNP and AFP, meanwhile, deny receiving reports of casualties.