Abu hit man linked to 2 killings slain

ZAMBOANGA CITY — An Abu Sayyaf member tagged as responsible for the separate killings of a nun and a bishop years ago, was slain in a shootout with military intelligence agents in Sulu Wednesday night.

In a statement, Lt. Gen. Roy Kyamko, chief of the Armed Forces’ Southern Command, said Abdul Baki, said to be notorious hit man of the Abu Sayyaf, was walking along Matata street in Barangay Asturias, Jolo town, when intelligence agents of the Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade spotted him.

But Baki, according to Kyamko, put up a fight, leading to his death. His companion managed to escape.

Kyamko said Baki was responsible for the abduction-killing of a certain Sister Fatima and the murder of Archbishop Benjie Inocencio.

He was also tagged as one of the kidnappers of Dr. Romeo Lao and his nephew, Amor Rubio, last year, and seven-year-old Rachel Gojit last Feb. 19. — Roel Pareño