A SULU-BASED Abu Sayyaf leader was killed while two others were arrested in a law enforcement operation in Basilan province, the military said Tuesday, July 16.

Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, identified the slain Abu Sayyaf leader as Arod Wahing, a mid-level commander under the group of Radulan Sahiron, the oldest and senior leader of the Sulu-based bandit group.

Sobejana said Wahing was killed when he resisted the arresting team who served an arrest warrant against him at 3:25 a.m. Monday in Parian-Baunoh village, Lantawan, Basilan.

He said that Wahing, upon seeing the arriving troops, pulled his caliber .45 pistol which prompted the lawmen to open fire killing him instantaneously.

Wahing has standing warrant of arrest for the crime of murder issued by the court in Jolo, Sulu and is listed as number 113 on the National Periodic Status Report of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Westmincom chief said.

He added that the raiding team arrested Nasser Jumadil and Jerry Ahang when they raided the hideout of Wahing. Jumadil, is a resident of Jolo, and Jerry Ahang, is a member of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team of Parian-Baunoh, Lantawan.

Sobejana said the raiding team also recovered one Caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle and one fragmentation grenade. (SunStar Philippines)