(UPDATED) The Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) clarified that there were no fatalities on the government side in two separate clashes against Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sumisip, Basilan Saturday night.

Wesmincom spokesperson Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay said four suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf were killed in the clashes with government troops in Sumisip, contrary to earlier reports that four government soldiers were killed in the clashes.

Two bandits were killed during an encounter with the Special Forces Unit in Sumisip, while the other two were killed during a separate clash with another military unit in the same town.

According to Basilan Governor Jim Salimman, government forces recovered two of the four bodies of the suspected bandits.

He also said government troops established a number of choke points in Sumisip identified as possible exit points of the Abu Sayyaf.

The soldiers encountered a group of armed men in one of their choke points, which left two bandits dead.

Salimman believed the Abu Sayyaf's movement has been limited in Sumisip, where military offensives were concentrated in the past few weeks.

They also set up a food blockade in several areas in Basilan to limit food supply to the hideouts of the bandit group.

Westmincom is still verifying reports on the total number of casualties in the clashes.

Petinglay said the military has been pursuing the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan in a bid to crush the terrorist group within six months.