Zamboanga City (PNA) -– Gunmen, believed to be Abu Sayyaf bandits, killed an officer of the Philippine Marines in an ambush Tuesday in Sulu where troops continue to hunt down the remaining leaders and followers of the bandit group.

Joint Task Force Comet (JTFC) chief Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban identified the slain marine officer as Capt. Abduhari Sulani, a native of Indanan, Sulu and the commanding officer of the 81st Marine Company.

Sabban disclosed Wednesday that Sulani was on board his motorcycle coming from Barangay Buhanginan, Patikul en route to Jolo, the capital of Sulu, when ambushed by the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Sabban said Sulani managed to fight back despite multiple gunshot wounds he suffered.

Responding troops from the Army’s Engineering Battalion brought Sulani to the hospital as well as an alleged wounded bandit but the marine officer succumbed to nine bullet wounds.

Sabban said marine troops from the Special Operation Platoon-5 scoured the ambushed site and engaged in a firefight one of the ambusher-bandits resulting to the death of the latter.

The troops recovered from the slain alleged bandit a caliber .45 pistol and several rounds of ammunition, according to Sabban. (PNA)