GOVERNMENT troops killed a liaison of the Abu Sayyaf bandits to the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (Isis) in a clash in the province of Sulu, officials said Saturday, November 23.

Brigadier General Antonio Nafarrete, Army’s 1101st Infantry Brigade commander, identified the slain Abu Sayyaf liaison officer as Abu Talha, a native of Sulu, who was killed in a clash that took place around 7:15 a.m. Friday at Sitio Tubig Amu in Tanum Village, Patikul.

Nafarrete said the clash ensued while the troops of the Army’s 1st Scout Ranger Battalion were checking the reported presence of Abu Sayyaf bandits at Sitio Tubig Amu in Tanum.

Nafarrete said Talha is a high-value target since he is an Isis-trained on explosive and serves as the bomb-making instructor of the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Major General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, lauded the operating units who carried out the combat operations to neutralize Abu Talha. (SunStar Zamboanga)