AN ALLEGED Abu Sayyaf bandit involved in transborder kidnapping was killed in a shootout with government troops in Tawi-Tawi, the military said Thursday, February 07.

Rear Admiral Rene Medina, Naval Forces Western Mindanao (Navforwem) commander, identified the slain Abu Sayyaf bandit as Shaifful Julaili, who was involved in kidnapping activities in the Sulu Sea, particularly in the sea border of Tawi-Tawi and Sabah.

Medina said Julaili was killed in a shootout on Tuesday in Lapid-Lapid village, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

He said Julaili opened fire while evading a checkpoint that prompted the troops to return fire fatally hitting the suspect.

The Navforwem commander said the conduct of a surprise checkpoint is one of the proactive measures of the troops to thwart plans of the Abu Sayyaf bandits to use the province of Tawi-Tawi as their safe havens. (SunStar Philippines)