Abus snatch, kill retired gov’t employee in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  —  Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits killed a retired government employee they seized in Patikul, Sulu on Sunday. 

The bandits also reportedly ransacked the house of Kirah Tiblan in Sitio Lingon Gitung, Barangay Igasan before setting it on fire.

Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, Joint Task Force Sulu and 11th Infantry Division commander, said soldiers of the 13th Special Forces Company recovered the body of Tiblan 100 meters away from his house. 

He said a man identified only as Edwin, who was also snatched by the bandits, was released and is now under the custody of the 6th Special Forces Battalion. 

 Pabayo said the bandits were reportedly wearing military uniforms and speaking in Tagalog when they went to the house of the victims.

Probers are eyeing a personal grudge as the motive for the killing of Tiblan, whom the bandits suspect as a military informant. 

Pabayo said pursuit operations for the bandits are ongoing.