One more Abu Sayyaf bandit slain in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA City, Philippines - One more member of the Abu Sayyaf Group was found dead, bringing the total number of bandits killed in a clash with the Marines in Talipao, Sulu to seven, military officials said Wednesday.

Col. Jose Johriel Cenabre, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade and Joint Task Force Sulu, said the latest Abu Sayyaf fatality was a result of an encounter between troops and the bandit group on Tuesday morning in Barangay Mabahay.

The clash was related to the fierce gunfight between troops and the bandit group on Saturday and Sunday.

Cenabre said the Marine Battalion Landing Team 2 (MBLT) special operation platoon 2 clashed with the Abu Sayyaf group at around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. A Marine was wounded in the clash.

The marine commander identified the slain militant as alias Sahadil.

The remains of Sahadil was recovered by his relatives and was buried following the Muslim burial rites at Barangay Mahala near the operation site.