Abu Sayyaf captive drowns while escaping

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — One of the two Indonesian captives of the Abu Sayyaf drowned while escaping on Thursday, the military has clarified.

Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesman, said Hariadin and Heri Ardiansyah took advantage of the gunfight between their captors led by Najir Arik and personnel of the Philippine Marine Ready Force Sulu, and tried to swim toward Bangalao island.

Marine soldiers rescued the Indonesians, whom they spotted while conducting roving patrol.

The military earlier reported that Hariadin was shot dead by his captors while escaping.

Prior to the incident, Marines rescued Malaysian Jari Abdullah, who was wounded when shot by his captors while escaping in Barangay Bahkaan off the coast of Banguingui also in Sulu. 

The three fishermen were snatched off the coast of Borneo last December and brought to Sulu.

Besana said three bandits were killed in gunfights with soldiers. Two M14 rifles, two M16 rifles and an M203 grenade launcher were recovered from the fatalities. 

He said the rescued captives and the remains of the Indonesian were flown to the Westmincom headquarters for turnover to the representatives of their respective governments. 

Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Westmincom chief, said government troopers have trapped the remaining bandits on Simusa Island.

22 soldiers, 11 bandits wounded

Also in Sulu, the military said the number of soldiers and bandits wounded in an encounter in Patikul since Friday has risen to 22 and 11, respectively. 

Three soldiers and four bandits were earlier reported killed while 13 soldiers and nine bandits were wounded in the clash in Sitio Atol, Barangay Latih.

Besana said nine of the wounded soldiers were evacuated to the Camp Navarro General Hospital. Thirteen others are recuperating at Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo.

Besana said soldiers overran an Abu Sayyaf camp, which can accommodate 80 persons, following the encounter. 

He said soldiers belonging to the 41st and 21st Infantry Battalions were deployed to serve as blocking forces as pursuit operations by Scout Rangers are ongoing. 

“The operations will be relentless against these terrorists,” Besana said.