Troops from the Marine Special Operations Group (MARSOG) encountered the followers of Abu Sayyaf group sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya at about 8:00 a.m. local time at the small village of Talo-Talok, Capual Island off Omar town in Sulu province.

Capt. Jo-Ann Pentinglay, spokesperson of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the gunbattle lasted for 20 minutes that left five militants killed and one suspect captured.

She said the marines recovered the remains of the five slain suspects and eight assault rifles, including M16 and M14 rifles.

Pentinglay said the encounter was part of Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) continuous operations for the possible recovery of 27 kidnap victims still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf group. 

XINHUA/MNA