TWO suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed in a firefight on Wednesday, May 9, as military continues its operation to rescue the hostages held by the terror group in Sulu province.
Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the firefight happened around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the village of Lagasan, Parang town.
One of the two slain bandits was identified as Abrajir Jamsuri, Sobejana said, adding that the military didn’t suffer any casualty.
Sobejana said the troops have recovered four high-powered firearms consisting of two M14 rifles, one R4 assault rifle and an M203 grenade launcher.
The 40-minute clash ensued when members of the Army’s 4th Special Forces Battalion chanced upon the bandits, led by Apoh Mike, while conducting search and rescue operations to safely recover the 10 kidnap victims from the Sulu-based ASG.
Five of hostages are foreigners -- three Indonesians, one Vietnamese, and one Dutch.
On Tuesday, May 8, government soldiers rescued Blas Jackosalim Ahamad from the ASG. The rescue happened three days after the ASG released Faizal Ahidji in Sitio Daang Puti, Bangkal village, Patikul town.
Ahamad and Hambali were among the four persons the Abu Sayyaf bandits kidnapped on April 29 in the village of Liang, Patikul. The other two victims – Police Officer 2 (PO2) Benierose Alvarez and PO1 Dinah Gumahad – are still held by the terrorist group. (SunStar Philippines)