A MEMBER of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was killed in an encounter with government troops in Basilan, the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) said on Friday, October 30, 2020.
The fatality, known as alias Botak, was killed in a five-minute firefight between the local terrorist group and the troops at around 4 p.m. Thursday, October 29, in Barangay Felang in Ungkaya Pukan.
Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr., Wesmincom commander, said Botak was a follower of ASG sub-group leader Furuji Indama.
Vinluan said Botak and two others were riding on a motorcycle when they were intercepted by the troops of the 101st Infantry Brigade and the 18th Infantry Battalion. Firefight ensued.
Recovered from the scene was one M60 machine gun.
Meanwhile, Wesmincom spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Alaric delos Santos said they were still validating reports that Indama has already been killed by troops during one of their operations in Zamboanga Sibugay.
Citing reports from Indama’s former comrades as well as some soldiers, Indama was severely wounded during a clash on September 9 in the municipality of Roseller T. Lim.
“Severe ang word na ibinigay sa atin e, so parang napuruhan siya talaga, kaya lang just like (Mundi) Sawadjaan, talagang pipilitin nila talaga nila na hatakin yan at all cost, alam nyo naman sa kanila ay malaking effect yan sa kanilang grupo, kapagka naiiwanan, so talagang hahatakin nila yan. yun ‘yung, based sa mga experiences natin, though maraming magsasabi at nagrereveal na talaga na kasalukuyan din nating bina-validate na patay na (si Indama),” said Delos Santos.
(His injuries were described as severe. Based on experience, they would not leave them behind. We received a lot a reports that he has died, but we are still validating this.)
Indama, according to the military, is the ASG leader operating in the province of Basilan. The group has been linked to kidnapping for ransom incidents there. (SunStar Philippines)