3 Sayyaf bandits killed in Sulu clash — military

Three members of the notorious Abu Sayyaf group were believed to have been killed in an encounter with government troops in Sulu province on Wednesday, a military spokesman said. Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command, also said a “seaman book" believed to belong to kidnap victim Renato Panisales was recovered at the encounter site following the 50-minute clash. He said the bandits, numbering around six, were under Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Jamiri Jawong Jawari. The clash occurred at around 6:10 a.m. at Patikul town, a known bailiwick of the al-Qaeda-linked group. Cabangbang, however, said they failed to recover the bodies of the slain bandits as they were “carried by the enemies on their withdrawal." Panisales, along with two others, were kidnapped last March 21 by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits. Kidnapped along with him were Wennie Ferrer and Jonald Ocsimar. The three were employees of Mega Fishing Company. - KBK, GMA News