2 cops killed, 2 hurt in suspected Abu Sayyaf attack on Sulu police station

COTABATO CITY - Two policemen were killed while two others were wounded when suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group launched a brazen attack at a downtown police station in Parang, Sulu at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Interior and Local Government Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo confirmed the incident.

The fatalities were identified as Patrolman Arjun Putalan and Corporal Mudar Salamat who both died before reaching the hospital.

Executive Master Sargent Hamid Saribbon and Staff Master Sargent Harold Nieva survived with wounds sustained during the strafing attack using high-powered firearms.

The victims were brought to Parang Municipal Hospital.

Joint elements from the Sulu Police provincial forces led by Colonel Michael Bayawan immediately arrived on the scene.

The suspects, however, managed to leave before they arrived.

Reports said the perpetrators escaped toward the Municipality of Indanan.

Hot pursuit operation is ongoing while police in the locality are investigating to determine the identities of those who led the attack. —KG, GMA News