ZAMBOANGA CITY: Soldiers killed two Abu Sayyaf terrorists in separate clashes in southern Philippines, noted as a hotbed of Muslim insurgency in the country.
Reports in Manila Times said soldiers swooped down on an Abu Sayyaf target in Lumbaan Mahaba, a village in the town of Parang, Sulu and killed Gan Salahudin.
Lt Gen Alfredo Rosario Jr, who is the chief of Western Mindanoa Command, said soldiers also recovered an M16 rifle and M203 grenade from Salahudin.
He said the troops were from the Joint Task Force Sulu. The body of the slain terrorist was handed over to his family.
Rosario said another group of soldiers also clashed with Abu Sayyaf gunmen in Buanza village in Indanan town, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.
He official also reported that another terrorist, Adil Akarab, was slain in a running gun battle with soldiers in Lamitan City in Basilan province on Wednesday.
He said infantrymen recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) and a dismantled rifle Akarab was transporting along with another companion who managed to escape.
The duo was on a motorcycle when they evaded a military roadblock, but troops pursued them and a gun fight ensued.
"I commend the troops of Joint Task Force Basilan for the neutralisation of the IED carrier and for foiling the bomb plot of our adversaries. I urge everyone to always remain calm and vigilant, and immediately report to the authorities any suspicious activity in your vicinity," Rosario said.
Just two weeks ago, an IED went off outside the Lamitan City Hall. Police said they were investigating the motive of the bombing and who was behind the explosion which damaged a water pipe and portion of a wall surrounding the government building.
There were no reports of casualties from the blast. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the bombing, but the Abu Sayyaf, a pro-ISIS terrorist group, is actively operating in Basilan, one of five provinces under the restive Muslim autonomous region.
The blast occurred just a day after a pair of Abu Sayyaf fighters Jusrad Hudjata, 37, and Ahmad Pahalawan, 32, surrendered to the military in Basilan. They also yielded two rifles, said Lt. Col. Cyril Santander, commander of the 18 Infantry Battalion.
Since January, a total of 17 terrorists had surrendered to authorities and mostly were provided government aid as part of a programme to lure Abu Sayyaf members to surrender peacefully.