Members of  the Abu Sayyaf group (Photo: VNA)

Nixon Muksan, Basilan Provincial Police Office director, said the suspects were apprehended during a raid on Monday night in Barangay Ulame, Lamitan City. The suspects did not resist as they were cordoned by the police operatives during the raid. The four suspects, based on the investigation, have participated in the hijack of cargo vessel M/V Royal 16 in November last year and seized six Vietnamese crew members.

One of those victims identified as Hoang Vo managed to escape during a rescue operation last month while two others were beheaded in Barangay Tumahubong, Sumisip earlier this month.