Sulu Officials Condemn Ambush of Innocent Civilians by Abu Sayyaf Brigands

Zamboanga City (PNA) -– The provincial government of Sulu has strongly condemned the ambush of innocent civilians by the Abu Sayyaf brigands in that province on Monday.

Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan II and his father, Vice Gov. Abdusakur Tan, issued the condemnation upon receiving the report about the ambush that took place as they were celebrating Eidil Fit’r.

Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer Capt. Ma. Rowena Muyuela disclosed that 16 people were killed while 13 others were wounded in the ambush at around 8:30 a.m. in Barangay Lower Talipao, Talipao town.

Muyuela said that troops are pursuing the Abu Sayyaf brigands led by Idang Susukan and Sibih Pisih who fled to the hinterlands.

She said the victims were among the estimated 40 people on board two passenger vehicles that were ambushed by some 50 Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Ten of the 40 people aboard the two vehicles are members of the Barangay Police Action Team (BPAT) and could most likely be the main targets, she added. (PNA) SCS/TPGJR/UTB