However, the elite troops disclosed no traces of the hostages were discovered as they pounced on the Abu Sayyaf in Barangay Bagsak at about 4:03 p.m. Thursday.
Maj. Gen. Narciso Abaya, commanding general of the Task Force Trident, disclosed that the elements of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion stumbled the lair of the Abu Sayyaf with 20 followers led by a certain commander Black Killer.
Abaya said the troops stormed the surprised extremists before they were able to retaliate against the attacking forces.
Government troops said their signal intelligence monitored that the Abu Sayyaf suffered five casualties and wounded three others.
"After the encounter, the Abu Sayyaf withdrew towards different directions dragging along their casualties as evidenced by bloodstains along their escape routes," Abaya said.
The casualties have brought the number of rebels killed to 138 as the operations entered its fifth week. Only eight government troopers have been killed.
The military said the operation will continue to flush out the Abu Sayyaf despite government’s efforts to recover the five remaining captives, — three Malaysians, a Filipino, and an American.