ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Government troops killed a notorious leader of the Abu Sayyaf group during a raid in Parang, Sulu on Friday night, security officials confirmed.
Killed was Alhabsy Misaya, an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader notorious for kidnapping operations in the area bordering Malaysia, Indonesia and southern Philippines.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año confirmed the killing of Misaya.
Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS), said joint elements of the Marines Force Recon and 61st and 65th Marine Special Operations Groups (MARSOG) raided the hideout of Misaya at about 9:35 p.m. in Barangay Silangkan Proper, Parang.
Sobejana said a brief firefight between the soldiers and the bandits resulted in the death of Misaya. No one was killed or injured on the government side.
The remains of Misaya was brought to Camp Gen. Bautista Hospital in Barangay Bus-bus, Jolo where former Abu Sayyaf members confirmed that the dead bandit was their sub-leader.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the death of Misaya is a big blow to the Abu Sayyaf.
He urged citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities to address the threat posed by the bandits.
“Let us cooperate to have safer and more secure communities. This is our shared responsibility,” Abella added.
He assured the public that the government would hold the Abu Sayyaf accountable for their brutal and senseless crimes.
Misaya was reportedly about to assume the group’s leadership following the death of fellow sub-leader Muamar Askali, alias Abu Rami, who was among the six bandits killed in the encounter two weeks ago in Inabanga, Bohol.
Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) commander Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. said the military would continue to target Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders.
Aside from spearheading in the series of kidnapping for ransom activities in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, Misaya and his group were linked to the kidnapping of crew of foreign vessels in the Sulu Sea and in Sabah. – With Alexis Romero, Jaime Laude