ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Twenty-five Abu Sayyaf terrorists have been slain in four days of an offensive against the killers of Sulu police commander Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, his brother, and two other policemen.
Director Felizardo Serapio, Directorate for Integrated Police Operation chief in Western Mindanao, said Abu Sayyaf commander Sahul Dahim and five other terrorists have been killed in the pursuit operation, and at least 20 others have also died.
However, Serapio said the pursuit operation had slowed down in deference to the seven-day mourning for Kasim.
Intelligence operations have been intensified to track down the Abu Sayyaf band responsible for the killing of the police official, he added.
Serapio said an investigation was being conducted following reports that 10 firearms from the policemen who encountered the Abu Sayyaf band were missing.
Responding civilian volunteers could have recovered the firearms from the slain policemen, he added.
Police recovered five high-powered firearms – four M16 and one M203 rifles – from the Abu Sayyaf casualties, Serapio said.
Meanwhile, police confirmed fresh sightings of Italian Eugenio Vagni, the remaining hostage Red Cross hostage in Abu Sayyaf hands.
“Vagni was sighted in the western side of Mt. Tukay, but we need validation,” Serapio said. Vagni is now entering his fourth month in captivity. – Roel Pareño, Cecille Suerte Felipe