ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least four Abu Sayyaf militants were killed in encounter Tuesday morning against the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Muslim rebels seeking the release of seven Indonesian captives in southern Philippines, according to a security official.
Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the MNLF identified the slain Abu Sayyaf sub-leader as Jennor Lahab alias Kumander Jim Dragon with three other unidentified members that were recovered.
He said the MNLF fighters encountered the Abu Sayyaf group about 7 a.m. near Tanjung Village, Kalinggalang Caluang town, Sulu Province.
"The intelligence reports disclosed that the MNLF forces were trying to facilitate the safe release of the Indonesian captives when they encountered the Abu Sayyaf group," Tan said.
Tan said the Abu Sayyaf militants were currently holding seven Indonesian sailors they abducted last June in the border of Tawi-Tawi and Sabah and kept their captives in Sulu.
