Seven alleged members of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed including the anticipated “heir” of slain emir Hajan Sawadjaan, when the speedboat they were riding was rammed by a military vessel in a pre-dawn maritime encounter in Parang, Sulu.
Joint Task Force Sulu Commander Maj. Gen. William Gonzales identified three of the fatalities as Mannul Sawadjaan alias Abu Amara, believed to be the successor of Hajan Sawadjaan as the emir of the group; Madsmar Sawadjaan and Mujapar Sawadjaan, who were brothers of Mundi Sawadjaan, a notorious ASG bombmaker and brains behind some of the most gruesome bomb attacks in Mindanao.
Gonzales said the encounter occurred around 2:15 in the morning when they intercepted the group aboard a speedboat at the open waters of Sulu Sea near the Sulare Island.
“May plano sila na mangidnap sa mainland, mga grupo ng mga kidnappers ito eh, pero tamang naituro at naisumbong ng mga civilian,” Gonzales said.
At 11:40 am, the Navy troops spotted the boat believed was used by the bandits and recovered several high-powered firearms, ammunitions and magazines and other belongings.