2 members of Abu Sayyaf killed in clash with Philippine navy

Two members of the Abu Sayyaf group were killed following a clash with the Philippine navy off the waters of Zamboanga City on Sunday, a military official said.

Philippine navy public affairs officer Capt. Lued Lincuna said the names of the slain terrorists are yet to be established but they are believed to be under the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Marzan Ajijul.

Lincuna said navy special operations personnel and intelligence operatives, backed by policemen, were on a maritime patrol off Sitio Niyog in Barangay Muti when they spotted two Abu Sayyaf men on a motorized pumpboat.

Lincuna said the two suspects were "conducting extortion activities to small scale fishermen when they were intercepted."

"They resisted when confronted and opened fire that made the joint elements to return fire," said Lincuna. No government trooper was killed or injured in the 15-minute firefight, he said.

Recovered at the scene were the bodies of the slain suspects, a cal. 45 pistol, a hand grenade, and a heat-sealed plastic sachet containing crystalline substance believed to be shabu.

The troops also siezed the suspects watercraft, with markings "Irsan," which is powered by a 13 Horsepower Single Engine.

"The PN (Philippine Navy) will continue conducting intensified maritime patrols together with other maritime agencies in order to address the illegal activities victimizing our fishermen and commercial vessels," said Lincuna. Endit