AN ABU Sayyaf bandit involved in illegal drug trade was killed in a clash with Army elite forces in a remote village in Sulu, the military reported Friday, July 1, 2022.
Brigadier General Eugenio Boquio, commander of the 1101st Infantry Brigade, said Gan Salahudin was killed in “strike” operations launched Thursday, June 30, by the 2nd Special Forces Battalion (2SFBn) in Lumbaan Mahaba village, Parang, Sulu.
Boquio said that Salahudin was actively involved in illegal drug trade in Parang town and was closely affiliated with the notorious Alganil Dawadil drug syndicate, though he has distanced himself from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) since January 2020.
“He was on a lie-low status since January of 2020, seeking refuge from his wife’s relatives who are in the area in order to evade pursuing government forces,” Boquio said.
He said Salahudin is a follower of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Apah Salah, whose son the troops have earlier neutralized in security operation.
The troops at the clash site recovered an M-16 Armalite rifle, one M-203 Grenade Launcher, ammunition and assorted illegal drug paraphernalia.
“Again, we ask our brothers, who are still trying to pursue their twisted ideologies, to surrender to the government forces and avail of the life-changing programs that the government has prepared for them. There is no better time to do it but now.” said Lieutenant Colonel Benito Ramos, Jr., 2SFBn commander, said.
Ramos said the strike operations were launched after months of intensive civil military and intelligence operations in Lumbaan Mahaba, Parang.
He said instrumental to the success of the strike operation was the continued involvement and cooperation of former Abu Sayyaf members, militiamen and the constituents of Parang. (SunStar Zamboanga)