4 Sayyaf militants dead in Sulu offensive

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines   â€“ At least four Abu Sayyaf militants were killed and five others were wounded in military aerial and ground attacks last Thursday in the mountains of Patikul, Sulu where two filmmaker-sisters are believed being held captive.

The offensive came when the militants fired at military helicopters on a logistic run in Barangay Tambang, Patikul town, said Col. Jose Joriel Cenabre, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade and Sulu Task Force.

Cenabre said Marines were moving toward the area to pressure the militants into releasing sisters Nadjoua and Linda Bansil “without conditions.”

The Bansils, both independent filmmakers and members of the Tausug Citizens group under the Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam, were seized by the Abu Sayyaf group led by Ninok Sapari last June 22 after coming from Mt. Sinumaan, where the militants are known to have a strong presence.