Military captures wounded Abu Sayyaf sub-leader after Sulu clash

An Abu Sayyaf sub-leader was captured after being wounded during a firefight with troops in Patikul, Sulu on Saturday morning.

The Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) identified the captured bandit leader as Walton Jujirin.

The Wesmincom said troops from the 1st Infantry Division encountered Jujirin and his four companioins while conducting rescue operations in Barangay Taung at around 7:15 a.m.

It said Jujirin was wounded and left behind by his four companions after a five-minute firefight.

Troops are in the area to rescue hostages of the Abu Sayyaf group.

Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, said last week that the Abu Sayyaf is still holding at least 10 hostages.

The remaining hostages include a Dutch national, three Indonesian and six Filipinos.

Sobejana said rescue operations for the remaining Abu Sayyaf hostages have been intensified.

He said freeing the remaining hostages would pave the way for the military's "unrestricted" operations against the terror group. —ALG, GMA News