Sayyaf-linked kidnap gang leader killed

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Government troops are searching for the body of a notorious kidnapping gang leader linked with the Abu Sayyaf, who was killed in an encounter Saturday in the hinterlands of Sumisip, Basilan, a military official said.

Rear Admiral Alexander Pama, commander of the anti-terror Task Force Trillium, said Abogao Bayali died hours after the clash with the blocking forces of the Civilian Active Auxiliary in Barangay Telling, Sumisip town.

A civilian volunteer was also killed and six others were wounded as government troops clashed with Bayali and his 30 followers.

Pama cited reports that Bayali was hit in the abdomen and died in the uphill village of Ereley in Sumisip.

Bayali’s killing “was a big blow to lost command rebels who are (engaged in kidnappings) and linked with the Abu Sayyaf,” Pama said.

He said troops were searching for the remains of Bayali who was reportedly buried in Barangay Ereley.

Pama said Bayali was responsible for the beheading of Marquez Singson, who was kidnapped along with two Chinese nationals last Nov. 10 in a plywood factory in Maluso town.

The two Chinese hostages – Bon Shung Tan, alias Michael Tan, and Zi Shun Lu, alias Oscar Lu – were recovered last February. But Lu died from complications after undergoing treatment in a hospital here.

Pama said Bayali’s group also gave refuge to the group of “lost command” rebel leader Dick Alao which attacked and pillaged Barangay Tubigan in Maluso, killing 13 villagers and wounding 11 others.

Pama added that Bayali and his followers were also behind the roadside bombing which left several men of the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion wounded last February in Sumisip town.

Pama said Bayali’s killing was significant as his group was providing support to the Abu Sayyaf and “lost command” rebels of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Basilan.

In another development, combined Abu Sayyaf and “lost command” rebels attacked a patrol base of the military and wounded a Marine and three government militiamen last Saturday morning in the hinterlands of Sumisip.

Lt. Steffani Cacho, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, said men of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 7 and CAFGU Active Auxiliary, however, fought it out with the attackers.

The military has beefed up its operations against the Abu Sayyaf upon orders of newly installed Armed Forces chief Gen. Delfin Bangit, following its recent successes, including the killing of militant leader Albader Parad in Indanan, Sulu last Feb. 21.

Additional Army troops have been deployed to Sulu to beef up the Marine units there.