4 Abus killed, nabbed in Sulu, Basilan

MANILA, Philippines — Two Abu Sayyaf bandits, one of them a sub-leader, were killed in encounters with Marine soldiers in Panamao, Sulu yesterday.

Two others were arrested in Basilan.

Personnel of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 1 of the 4th Marine Brigade recovered the body of Hatib Munap Binda during clearing operations in Barangay Kawasan, according to Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Western Mindanao Command chief.

Vinluan said Binda was an associate of slain sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya, who was tagged in the kidnapping of European birdwatchers Lorenzo Vinciguerra and Ewold Horn as well as Indonesian and Filipino fishermen.

Bensio Barahama, whose son Sansibar led another group of bandits who clashed with the Marines, was killed in a follow-up operation after an hour.

Barahama was a follower of Radullan Sahiron.

Two M14 rifles and an M16 were recovered at the site of the encounters.

Meanwhile, Ranger Siason was arrested in a raid on his hideout in Barangay Aguada in Isabela City. He reportedly yielded fragmentation grenades and bomb materials.

Siason reportedly supplies ammunition and explosives to Abu Sayyaf bandits. He is also wanted for the murder of nine people in Maluso town in August 2017.

Another operation in Tabuan-Lasa led to the arrest of Munjiral Kabole in Barangay Saluping. – Romina Cabrera, Emmanuel Tupas