Kota Kinabalu: Security forces in the Philippines are believed to have killed seven Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) militants on their way to Sabah in the early hours of Tuesday.
Regional intelligence sources said the seven belong to the notorious kidnap-for-ransom group of the Jolo-based Sawadjaan family.
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In the 2.15am incident, a helicopter of the Armed Forces of the Philippines intercepted a speedboat near Sulare Island, Parang, Sulu.
A firefight apparently broke out and seven ASG members belonging to Mudzimar@Mundi Sawadjaan’s group were killed.
Among those killed are Mundi's brother Madsnal@Maznar Sawadjaan and Mannul Sawadjaan @Abu Amara, the sources said.
“The other five have yet to be identified, ” they said, adding that Mundi was not in the boat.
Philippines intelligence also believes that Mundi Sawadjaan is a known bombmaker of the ASG and also a figure behind the Jolo Cathedral bombings last year. He is the nephew of Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, the leader of the ASG faction that associates itself with the Islamic State (ISIS).
When contacted, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali said they have yet to receive information of the firefight which led to the killing of the ASG members.
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