Abu Sayyaf kills 2 soldiers going to market in Sulu

A PHILIPPINE military official says Abu Sayyaf militants have killed two soldiers who went to a market but reinforcement troops later retaliated with an assault that may have killed an unspecified number of the attackers in the country’s south.

Military commander Brig. Gen Alan Arrojado says about 10 heavily armed militants opened fire on the soldiers on Sunday then stole one of their motorcycles before fleeing into a jungle in Sulu province. The victims were in civilian clothes and had pistols but were killed before they could return fire.

A military report said Monday that the attackers belonged to an Abu Sayyaf faction led by Moammar Askali.

Askali’s group reportedly received a huge ransom in exchange for freeing two German tourists in October, allowing it to acquire new weapons.

The bodies of the two soldiers were brought to Zamboanga City through a commercial vessel.

Soldiers conducted pursuit operations in Danag-Latih Road and Buhanginan to Jolo Road, Arrojado said.

Troops clashed with about 10 Abu Sayyaf bandits believed to be the suspects of the ambush in Barangay Latih at about 9 p.m. on the same day.

The soldiers were able to recover rifles and a cellphone, Arrojado said.

The armed men were identified from the Ajang-Ajang group of the Patikul-based Abu Sayyaf namely alias Surata, Mujir and two unidentified others. The group was led by Askali. With a report from Frances Mangosing, INQUIRER.net