A SUSPECTED Abu Sayyaf bandit was recovered dead while another was captured on Wednesday, April 17, as focused military operation continues against them in the hinterlands of Sulu.

Colonel Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said the remains of the slain suspected Abu Sayyaf bandit was recovered around 8 a.m. Wednesday at Sitio Hagas-Hagas in Pangkayahan village, Patikul, Sulu.

Besana said the troops from the Army’s 1st Scout Ranger Battalion recovered the remains of the slain bandit which they believed was killed during a series of clashes on April 11 in Pangkayahan.

He said the troops immediately buried the recovered cadaver, which was in the advanced state of decomposition.

The Westmincom official said the captured Abu Sayyaf bandit is identified as Aldie Wajid, a follower of bandit sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.

He said Wajid was captured while the troops from the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion at 7:10 a.m. same day at Sitio Kan Bading in Taung village, Patikul.

Besana said Wajid was placed under custodial debriefing at the 32nd Infantry Battalion headquarters and was subsequently turned over to Patikul Municipal Police Station for further investigation and filing of appropriate charges.

He said seized from the possession of Wajid were a caliber .45 pistol, one magazine with four live ammunition and two rolls of electric wire. (SunStar Philippines)