KILLED. Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits killed Dutch Birdwatcher Ewold Horn during a firefight Friday in Patikul, Sulu. The firefight resulted in the death of six ASG bandits, including Mingayan, the second wife of bandit leader Radullan Sahiron. (Photo courtesy of Western Mindanao Command Public Information Office)
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits have killed the Dutch birdwatcher, whom they kidnapped more than seven years ago, in the midst of a firefight in the province of Sulu, a military official said Friday.
Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said the firefight broke out around 7:41 a.m. Friday in Sitio Bud Sub-Sub, Barangay Pansul in Patikul, Sulu.
Besana said Ewold Horn “is believed to have been shot by his guards when he tried to escape from his captors during the firefight”.
Besana said the firefight broke out when the troops chanced upon 30 ASG bandits led by Radullan Sahiron while they were on blocking position in Sitio Bud Sub-Sub, Barangay Pansul.
The firefight lasted for about one hour and 30 minutes that resulted in the death of seven people--six bandits, including the second wife of Sahiron, and Horn, the military official said.
Besana said the encounter also resulted in the wounding of 12 ASG bandits and eight soldiers belonging to the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion. He said the number of casualties suffered by the ASG bandits was learned through reports from the residents in the area.
Besana said the troops have recovered the remains of Horn and that of Sahiron’s wife, Mingayan, at the clash site during a clearing operation.
Besana said troops from the other units that included the 21st, 41st, 1st, and 5th Scout Ranger Battalions were ordered to block all possible escape route of the remaining bandits who fled to different directions.
Horn was one of the remaining hostages the ASG bandits are still holding captive in the province of Sulu.
Horn was kidnapped together with another birdwatcher, Lorenzo Vinciguerra of Switzerland, on February 1, 2012 in Sitio Luuk-Luuk, Barangay Parangan, Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi. They were on a bird watching activity when seized by ASG bandits and were brought to Sulu. Vinciguerra had escaped from captivity.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1071194
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