2 alleged Abu Sayyaf bandits nabbed

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines — Two men believed to be Abu Sayyaf bandits were apprehended on Thursday in Sulu.

Rano Jillang and Medzfar Aminulla were nabbed after they blocked the highway connecting the towns of Panamao and Luuk, the military said.

Troops from the Second Special Forces Battalion launched an operation after receiving information that two gunmen were spotted in Barangay Gagguil, Panglima Estino town, according to Lt. Col. Gerald Monfort, spokesman for Joint Task Force Sulu.

Authorities said they recovered from the suspects two hand grenades, an M16 rifle and an M14 rifle with ammunition.

The military lauded the vigilance of the civilians, resulting in the arrest of the suspects.