Gov't. troops kill 2 ASG men involved in high seas kidnapping

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 27): Gov't. troops kill 2 ASG men involved in high seas kidnapping

Government forces have killed in a raid two Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) brigands involved in the high seas’ kidnapping of foreign sailors, a military official announced Tuesday.

Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesperson, identified the slain two ASG brigands as Nixon Muktadil and his brother, Brown. They are commonly known as the Muktadil brothers.

Tan said the Muktadil brothers were killed when troops raided their lair around 5 a.m. Tuesday in Tambulan Island, Barangay Daungdung, Pata, Sulu.

Tan said the Muktadil brothers were involved in the series of kidnappings of 26 Indonesians and Malaysians sailors in the high seas in the boundaries of this country and that of Indonesia and Malaysia.

Tan said those kidnapped by the Muktadil brothers were crewmen of five tugboats who were seized in different occasions within a period of six months.

He said theses boats traverse within the tri-boundary of the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia to deliver coal and other commercial items.

He said the death of the Muktadil brothers is a major blow to the group of ASG sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya since they serve as the guides and navigators in the conduct of kidnapping at the high seas.

He said the remains of the Muktadil brothers were transported to Sulu Provincial Police Office for proper disposition.

Government forces continue the conduct of the focus military operations aimed to rescue the remaining hostages from the hands of the ASG brigands in Sulu.

The ASG brigands are still holding 15 hostages consisting of five Indonesians, five Malaysians, four Filipinos, and one Dutch bird watcher.

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