Abu Sayyaf terrorist Hasan Hamsi, alias Abu Ayub, 22, died of "acute myocardial infarction" in the custody of his military captors during tactical interrogation yesterday in Zamboanga del Norte.
Ayub was captured along with three of his cohorts after a boat chase and a running gun battle with the Philippine Marines assigned to hunt down the fleeing Abu Sayyaf band.
Three other bandits were slain in the battle, including Abu Sayyaf spokesman Aldam Tilao, alias Abu Sabaya, the military said.
Military Southern Command (Southcom) chief Maj. Gen. Ernesto Carolina said Ayub did not seem wounded in the aftermath of the combat, but complained of chest pains after his capture.
Carolina said Ayub was rushed to the Camp Navarro General Hospital, but the doctors could not revive him. Ayub died shortly after 4 a.m. yesterday.
According to Carolina, military doctors said the cause of Ayub’s death was acute myocardial infarction, a severe heart attack that may have happened when the bandit’s motorboat struck the pursuing Navy speedboat.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Roy Cimatu said an autopsy will be conducted on Ayub’s remains to ascertain whether he died of a heart attack or a stroke. Carolina said he has already requested that an autopsy be conducted on Ayub’s body by a separate law-enforcement agency to allay fears that Ayub was liquidated by the military: "If we were going to kill him, why would we got to all the trouble it took to bring him here? The autopsy will give us the reason (why Ayub died)."
Cimatu ruled out the possibility that Ayub was harmed by his military guards and interrogators.
Captured with Ayub were Abdurakman Ismael, Margani Isnilon and Adzmar Aluk.
In a related development, Abbas Samson, the barangay captain of Mantibo in Sibuco town, was arrested for conspiring with and aiding and abetting the attempted escape of Abu Sabaya and the other bandits.
"As a matter of fact, it was at his (Samson) house where the group waited for the pumpboat the other night," Carolina said as Samson was turned over to the custody of the local police.
Carolina said they initially filed charges of illegal possession of firearm against Samson, who was carrying a 9-mm. handgun when he was arrested by the military in his house in Barangay Mantibo.
"But the lawyers are saying he (Samson) can be charged with kidnapping, because kidnapping involves conspiracy. The act of one is the act of all, so he (Samson) can be charged with kidnapping as he is part of the conspiracy. That will preclude (Samson) from posting bail," Carolina added.
The military said Sabaya met Samson last Thursday, and Samson provided the Abu Sayyaf bandits with supplies and the pumpboat, which was propelled by two Honda 16-horsepower engines, with kingfisher and Spiderman markings.
Carolina also said President Arroyo had instructed all Zamboanga del Norte mayors last May 30 not to give any support or sanctuary to the bandits.
The tactical interrogation of the three remaining bandits was still underway as of press time and Carolina expressed confidence that the military would be able to get vital information out of the captives.
Now, Carolina said, Operation Daybreak, which freed hostage Gracia Burnham from the bandits and sent the Abu Sayyaf on the run, is continuing – and it has evolved into search and destroy operations dubbed "Operation Daylight." — With Roel Pareño, AFP