Captive Dutch killed in Philippines gunfight

ANKARA

A Dutch citizen who was a captive in the Philippines for seven years was killed Friday in a gunfight in Zamboanga City, local media reported.

According to Manila Bulletin daily, the Dutch national Ewold Horn was a “bird watcher” who had been held captive by “Abu Sayyaf Group” (ASG) since 2012.

A gunfight ensued between the militant group and Philippines armed forces in which Horn and wife of ASG leader Radulan Sahiron were killed in a 90-minute operation in Patikul, Sulu region early Friday.

The Philippines military was reported to have said that six ASG militants were also killed in the operation and about 12 others wounded while eight soldiers were also reportedly injured.

Horn was from Groningen, the largest city in northern Netherlands.

The other slain lady was identified as Mingayan Sahiron, the second wife of Sahiron.

The daily said that the bodies of Horn and Mingayan were removed by the troops from the gunfight site.

Along with Horn, the militant group had abducted another birdwatcher Lorenzo Vinciguerre from Switzerland who was rescued by Philippines military in Patikul, Sulu in December 2014.

The duo was abducted from Panglima Sugala town, Tawi-Tawi region.