Two suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits were reportedly spotted at Barangay Candungao in San Isidro town on Monday morning.

The report which was relayed through the San Isidro Police Station indicated that the alleged militants were spotted by a farmer in the town at around 7 a.m.

According to the villager whose identity was not revealed by authorities, the two men were seen at a hilly area of the village.

He said that both men appeared emaciated.

One of them had a slightly shaved head and had shoes on and the other one wore slippers and a shirt as headgear while he carried a sack, he added.

According to the villager, one of the passersby winked at him as they walked away without uttering a word.

The men were about 50 meters away from the farmer, reports said.

The resident then hurriedly reported the sighting to police out of fear.

However, security forces which responded did not encounter the suspected Abu Sayyaf fighters.

Authorities of the San Isidro Police Station said that the village of Candungao is part of San Isidro’s hinterlands and close to Barangay Tanawan, Tubigon where Abu Saad was captured on Thursday.

Police also noted that the bandits are likely hiding in forest areas of the town.

Government troops have already been deployed to the area while residents were urged to immediately report suspicious personalities in their respective areas. (Allen Doydora)