Abu Sayyaf leader, soldier killed in firefight in Sulu

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Suspected leader of terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group and a soldier were killed in a shootout late yesterday afternoon in Sulu, the military said today.

Colonel Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said Sihata Latip, an Abu leader, had been killed when he resisted arrest and engaged the security forces in a firefight at around 4: 45 p.m. local time in Duyan Kaha village, Parang town.

A government trooper had also been killed and another wounded during the brief clash with the bandit leader, he added.

Arrojado said Latip had been involved in the abduction of foreigners and in a series of violent attacks against government forces.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines earlier deployed more troops to Sulu to pursue the Abu Sayyaf bandits following the release of two German hostages last month.