2 Abu Sayyaf suspects in kidnapping of Indonesians killed in Tawi-Tawi —military

The two remaining Abu Sayyaf members involved in the kidnapping of some Indonesians were killed in a pursuit operation in Tawi-Tawi on Tuesday, the military's Western Mindanao Command said.

In a statement, WestMinCom said the two, identified only as “Long” and “Darus,” were among the Abu Sayyaf members who escorted the Indonesian victims to Tawi-Tawi.

WestMinCom chief Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr. said the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi conducted the operation against the two on Sunday morning.

The pursuit operation proceeded after the task force received information that the targets were sighted in Barangay Kalupag Island in Languyan, Tawi-Tawi.

“While we were moving towards their location, they open fired so we retaliated,” said the head of the operation, Deputy Commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade Colonel Nestor Narag Jr.

“A short encounter ensued which resulted in the instantaneous death of the two Abu Sayyaf/Kidnap-for-Ransom Group members know by their aliases as Long and Darus."

The operating troops recovered the cadavers of the targets and an M16 rifle.

West MinCom said the continuous focused military operations started on Friday following the rescue of the three Indonesian kidnap victims and the apprehension of two other Abu Sayyaf members on Thursday.

On Saturday, their leader, Majan Sahidjuan or Apo Mike, was also killed by the police and military troops in an operation, WestMinCom said.

The remaining kidnap victim in captivity was rescued on Sunday morning. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News