2 Abu Sayyaf members killed in Basilan clash

Two members of the Abu Sayyaf were killed in clashes with military troops and civilian volunteers in Basilan on Thursday.

Abu Sayyaf Group members Hakim Entong and an unidentified person under Ustadz Abbas Alam were killed in a 30-minute clash with combined forces of 4th Special Forces Battalion and members of the civilian volunteer organization at Barangay Tuburan, Hadji Mahommad Ajul, in Basilan about 7:50 a.m., Western Mindanao Command acting spokesperson Capt. Ben June Cerbo said in a statement on Friday.

There were no casualties from the government side.

Another firefight took place for 25 minutes between the group of Alam and about 30 civilians at 5:20 a.m., Cerbo said.

The ASG is believed to be holding several foreign and local hostages in parts of Basilan and Sulu.