ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Two rifles were seized from Abu Sayyaf bandits following an encounter with Army Scout Rangers in Indanan, Sulu on Wednesday.
Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, Joint Task Sulu and 11th Infantry Division commander, said soldiers encountered 15 followers of Abu Sayyaf leader Mundi Sawadjaan and Radulan Sahiron in Barangay Adjid at about 4 p.m.
“The troops also recovered documents, including photocopies of passports owned by two Indonesians,” Gonzales said, adding that they are verifying the owners of the passports.
The Abu Sayyaf is holding four Indonesian crewmembers of a fishing boat they kidnapped in the waters off Lahad Datu, Sabah on Jan. 16. A group of Indonesian suicide bombers are also hiding with the bandits in Sulu.