MANILA, Philippines — A long-held Dutch hostage was shot and killed by his Abu Sayyaf captors Friday when he tried to escape during a gunbattle in the southern Philippines, military officials said. Gen. Divino Pabayo Jr.At least six militants were killed and 12 others wounded in the nearly two-hour firefight. Among those killed was the wife of Abu Sayyaf commander Radulan Sahiron, a militant long wanted by the United States and the Philippines. Horn, a Swiss friend and a Filipino companion were abducted by gunmen during a birdwatching trip in Tawi Tawi province, near Sulu, in 2012. He said that government forces “tried our very best to safely rescue him from his captors” and suffered casualties themselves.

Source: National Post May 31, 2019 06:00 UTC