2 Abus killed in Sulu clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Two Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed and two others wounded after they clashed with police and civilians searching for Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni in Talipao, Sulu.

No policeman was killed or wounded, according to police.

Sulu police commander Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim said the posse encountered the breakaway Abu Sayyaf band in Barangay Mabahay, Talipao town while looking for Vagni, the last Abu Sayyaf hostage who has been in captivity for more than three months.

“Our police forces monitored the presence of one of the commanders of the Abu Sayyaf who could be holding captive Mr. Vagni,” he said.

Police said Angga Adja and Alkap Abdulbaki were killed, while the wounded were Yacub Munap and Ibno Asali.

All four are known members of the Abu Sayyaf, police added.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said yesterday another Abu Sayyaf band might be holding Vagni in Sulu.

“That was the report we received last week, and because we encountered a big group led by Abu Sayyaf leader Albader Parad in Talipao, we suspect that another group also with contact with the main group might be holding Vagni,” he said.

“That’s why we have raised the P500,000 reward.”

Verzosa said he will be going to Zamboanga City and other areas in Mindanao to see for himself the actual situation on the ground.

“I will be going to Zamboanga (today) and then I will be proceeding to Basilan and Sulu for the next two or three days and I will see what’s happening there,” he said.

“There were sporadic firefights among our troops – Marines and Philippine Navy and the Civilian Emergency Force – with some groups of Abu Sayyaf bandits.”

Verzosa said authorities have no definite information on the exact location of Vagni.

“We want the safe release of the hostage, that’s the main consideration,” he said.

The Abu Sayyaf kidnapped Vagni, along with International Red Cross volunteers Swiss Andreas Notter and Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba in Sulu last Jan. 15.

Lacaba and Notter have already been released. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe