THE military has identified the Indonesian who was allegedly killed by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) as La Baa, one of the five Indonesian fishermen who were abducted in the waters of Sabah in January 2020.
The remains of La Baa, 35, were identified by the Indonesian Army, police attaché and his family on Thursday, October 1, 2020, according to Joint Task Force Sulu spokesperson Ronaldo Mateo.
The military recovered Baa’s remains after an encounter with ASG fighters in Patikul, Sulu on Tuesday, September 29.
“His remains were transported to Zamboanga City on September 30 for proper disposition. Late yesterday, the Indonesian authorities as well as the family confirmed his identity,” Mateo said in a statement.
No gunshot wounds were found on Baa’s remains. But a bruise was found on his head.
Mateo said the cause of death has yet to be determined.
The military had surmised that La Baa was killed by the ASG while trying to escape during the encounter.
He was among the five Indonesian fishermen kidnapped by ASG in Sabah waters in January 2020.
Brigadier General William Gonzales, JTF commander, said they have continued to hunt down the ASG led by Mundi Sawadjaan and Radulan Sahiron.
“We have reports that their forces are deteriorating due to the heavy casualties they incurred in the series of encounters and mass surrenders for a period of one month,” Gonzales said.
He said they have to consider the safety of the ASG’s kidnap victims during their operations against the terrorists.
The ASG has been declared persona non grata in the towns of Patikul and Indanan following the deadly twin bombings allegedly architected by Sawadjaan in Jolo on August 24. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)