Sayyaf rebels kill militiaman

Abu Sayyaf bandits tortured and killed a government militiaman, making good their threat to execute anyone supporting the military in Basilan province.

Police identified the militiaman as Tandico Abdullah, an active auxiliary of the Civilian-Armed Forces Geographical Unit, whose body was found at Kilometer 2 in the island-province’s capitol of Isabela City.

Basilan provincial police chief Superintendent Akmadul Pangambayan said Abdulla, who had been missing for two days, was apparently tortured and strangled to death before his body was placed in a sack.

"The victim’s body bore signs of bruises, contusions and signs of strangulation on his neck," Pangambayan said.

"Abdulla was suspected of having helped the government in pinpointing the bandits and their supporters. That is why he was seized and executed," he said.In Lantawan town, three other militiamen were reported missing and feared beheaded but authorities were still verifying the report as of late yesterday.

The Abu Sayyaf warned the other week they would execute civilians who are suspected of helping the government by pinpointing members and supporters of the bandit group.

The authorities have so far arrested 120 suspected Abu Sayyaf members and supporters in a crackdown that was launched on July 13 in Sulu, Basilan and parts of Zamboanga City.

Of the 120 arrested, at least 46 have been detained in the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center pending their arraignment on Aug. 22.

Meanwhile, another Abu Sayyaf bandit, who was caught in Panglima Estino town, escaped while undergoing tactical interrogation in Jolo, Sulu.

The fugitive was identified as Moen Gapasan, who escaped on Saturday from the tactical command post of the 7th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Busbus.