No sign of hostages in Abu Sayyaf camps overrun by military

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The military on Tuesday said it overran two Abu Sayyaf camps in Sulu on Monday morning.

However, there was no sign of any of the hostages the bandit group have been holding, including Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipino Maritess Flor, said Major Filemon Tan Jr., spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command.

Tan said recovered from the two camps, both in Barangay Sinumaan in Talipao town, were “hammocks, water containers and personal belongings.”

“The said camps can accommodate approximately 150 persons and have running trenches with potable water within the perimeter,” Tan said.

READ: Troops overrun Abu Sayyaf camps in Sulu

He said operating troops continue to scour and conduct blockade in the area.

The military has intensified its anti-Abu Sayyaf operation in Sulu following the killing of two foreign hostages, John Ridsdel and Robert Hall.

The military has since deployed 5,000 soldiers on the island and they are also tasked to rescue the hostages./rga