5 Sulu bandits killed Sunday

PHILIPPINE military hot in pursuit of the kidnappers of a British resort owner and his wife.

Five members of the Abu Sayyaf terror group were killed Sunday in Sitio Huton Mahablo in Barangay Silangkan in Indanan town, Sulu, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed.

On Saturday, one Abu bandit was also killed in Sitio Itum im Barangay Kabbun Takas in Patikul, Sulu, the AFP Western Command said in a statement to media.

Five soldiers from the 32nd Infantry Battalion were slightly wounded in the Saturday clash while two special forces troops were also wounded slightly in the Sunday encounter.

Among the five killed were two Abu Sayyaf sub-commanders, WestMinCom chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana said.

The operations were part of efforts to rescue the Abu Sayyaf’s kidnap victims, including a British resort owner and his Filipina wife who were abducted last month.