Abu commander killed in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – An Abu Sayyaf commander who took part in the kidnapping of American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham, 17 Filipinos and another American in Palawan nine years ago was killed in a clash with troops in Basilan yesterday.

Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino said Abdukarim Sali alias Banjamin Sali and Ben Rafy was killed in a 10-minute shootout with an Abu Sayyaf band at about 3 a.m Sunday in Barangay Lower Manggas, Lantawan town.

“He is covered with a warrant of arrest for the Lamitan siege incident and kidnapping with serious illegal detention,” he said.

Dolorfino said troops recovered from the scene the remains of Sali, along with his M-16 rifle attached with an M-203 grenade launcher and rounds of ammunition. Troops also found cell phones and other personal belongings from the site, he added. Sali carried a P350,000 bounty on his head, Dolorfino said.

During captivity, the third American, Guillermo Sobero, was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf. Martin Burnham was killed during a military rescue attempt in Zamboanga del Norte in 2002.

Gracia Burnham survived and has returned to the United States.

Hunted by hundreds of troops, the Abu Sayyaf brought their captives by speedboat to Basilan, where they took over a hospital in Lamitan town to steal medicine and snatch a hospital staff and two nurses.

The other hostages were freed separately, reportedly after ransom payments. – Roel Pareño, Alexis Romero, Cecille Suerte Felipe, AP