Abu Sayyaf Group bandits are seen holding three foreigners and a Filipina (not shown) at an undisclosed location. TV5 SCREENSHOT
The number of Abu Sayyaf Group bandits killed in the continuous offensive of government troops in Patikul, Sulu, has risen to 22, according to the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).
The ASG casualties included three sub-leaders, one of whom was identified as Mohammad Said alias Ama Maas who was killed in an encounter in Barangay Bunkaong Saturday.
The military report said the terrorists encountered were led by Raddulan Sahiron alias Putol, Kahal Mohammad alias Ama Maas, Haurulla Asbang alias Hai, and a certain Latip Sapie.
The ASG denied that Said had been killed.
Said was suspected to be involved in the September 2015 abduction of Canadians John Risdel and Robert Hall; Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad; and Hall's Filipina girlfriend Maritess Flor from a resort in the Island garden City of Samal. The victims were brought to Sulu.
The ASG then beheaded Hall and Ridsdel separately in April and June after their families failed to deliver a P300-million ransom demand for each of the victims for their safe release.
Hall's girlfriend Flor was freed on June 24, while Sekkingstad is still in the hands of the terrorists even if P50-million ransom had reportedly been paid.
Angered by the beheading of 18-year-old James Almodavar whose family failed to produce P1 million ransom, President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday night (August 24) last week ordered the military and police forces to hunt down the bandit group and "destroy them".
Watch this News5 video report:
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