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ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanews/29 June) – An armed man was killed in a clash with government forces tracking down kidnap victims in Sulu, Brig. Gen. Martin Pinto, 2nd Marine Brigade commander, said.
Pinto said the suspected bandit was killed in a clash around 1:45 p.m. Friday in Barangay Kabuntakas, Patikul, Sulu.
Pinto said the troops were scouring a secluded area in Barangay Kabuntakas when they chanced upon suspected Abu Sayyaf members.
He said the body of the slain bandit was turned over to the barangay officials for proper identification. An M-16 rifle with ammunition was recovered from his possession.
Marines in coordination with the police and local government units are tracking down lawless elements who are still holding captive kidnap victims, some of whom are believed to be foreigners.
Two of the captives are Zamboangueños who were seized last June 4 while working on a government water system project in Sulu. (MindaNews)