ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed yesterday following a military operation in the town of Pata in Sulu.
Armed Forces of the Philippines -Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Spokesman Maj Filemon Tan, Jr., identified the slain ASG members as brothers Nixon Muktadil and Brown Muktadil.
Tan said soldiers raided Tambulian Island off the village of Daungdung in Pata, Sulu about 5 a.m. after receiving reports that the ASG members were at the island.
A shootout immediately ensued between the soldiers and the two bandits, Tan said.
Tan said the duo were involved in the kidnapping of the 26 Indonesian and Malaysian nationals at the high seas, bordering Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
The kidnap victims were crewmen of five different tugboats, hijacked by the ASG.
On Monday, police arrested an ASG member who is facing seven counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges at the regional trial court in Isabela City, Basilan.
Police Chief Insp Elmer Solon identified the arrested ASG member as Abdul Baliyung alias Majula Gani, 34, and a resident of Barangay Sangali in this city.
Solon said policemen of Culianan police Station arrested Baliyung at about 2:22 p.m. inside the Zamboanga City Port. (Nonoy Lacson)
