2 Abu Sayyaf ‘bandits’ killed in Sulu clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Two suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed in a fresh firefight as operations to rescue kidnap victims continue in the province of Sulu, a top military official announced Wednesday.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the latest firefight took place around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Barangay Lagasan, Parang municipality.

Sobejana said clash ensued as the troops from the Army’s 4th Special Forces Battalion chanced upon the terrorist group while conducting search and rescue mission to recover 12 captives, including five foreigners.

The foreigners include three Indonesians, a Vietnamese, and a Dutch national. Of the seven Filipinos that the group still hold captive, two are policewomen seized along with two other companions on April 29 in Barangay Liang, Patikul.

Sobejana said the firefight lasted for about 40 minutes, after which the Abu Sayyaf bandits fled to different directions and left behind the remains of their two slain members.

One of the two slain Abu Sayyaf bandit was identified as Abrajir Jamsuri alias Radis, a follower of bandit sub-leader Apoh Mike.

The troops have also recovered four high-powered firearms consisting of two M-14 rifles, one R4 assault rifle and an M-203 grenade launcher.

Sobejana said no one was either killed or wounded among the troops from the Army’s 4th Special Forces Battalion that figured in the latest firefight. (PNA)