TWO Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while four others were captured following a brief firefight in the province of Sulu, the military said Thursday, October 11.

Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the firefight broke out when the joint team of soldiers and policemen launched an operation around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday in Kajatian village, Indanan, Sulu.

Dela Vega said the firefight resulted in the death of two Abu Sayyaf bandits, Jade Hassan alias Radjik and Kemar Jade.

The Westmincom commander said captured were: Lino Tantung, 42; Hamjir Sahidal, 19; Sajiyal Asiral Alamia, 46; and, Arajal Amicul Aida, 46.

He said the troops recovered at the clash site the following: one 12 gauge shotgun with eight ammunitions; two caliber .45 pistols with two (2) magazines and 14 live ammunitions. The items were turned over to the Police Regional Crime Laboratory.

Also recovered from Sahidal was one heat-sealed transparent plastic with white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu.

The military official said the remains of the two bandits were brought to Camp General Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for post mortem care and proper disposition.

The four captured Abu Sayyafs and the illegal drugs were turned over to the Indanan police for further investigation and filing of appropriate charges. (SunStar Philippines)