[Manila Times] Philippine troops killed two Abu Sayyaf militants and captured another jihadi during a rescue of an abducted Filipino sailor in Basilan early on Saturday morning. Military spokesperson Jo-ann Petinglay said five motorized boats used by the Abu Sayyaf in their kidnapping activities and piracy were also seized by soldiers in the towns of Al-Barka and Tuburan, where the two jihadis were killed.One of them, Jaudi Salapuddin, was involved in the recent hijacking of a Panamian cargo ship off Basilan, several miles south of Zamboanga City. The militants also seized the ship's engineer Laurence Tito and captain Aurelio Agacac who was rescued by soldiers. The other dead jihadi was identified as Bistahan Nisalun.
Petinglay said troops also captured Rolly Ikih at the house of Vanessa Lajiman, a village councilor of Tumahubong in Sumisip town. Troops also seized a gun and ammunition from Ikih who is wanted by authorities in Basilan. It os not known why Ikih was in the home of Lajiman or whether the village official tipped off the military about him.