AN ABU Sayyaf bandit facing 21-count kidnapping case with P350,000 price on his head was killed as he tried to escape from custody in Tawi-Tawi, the military said on Tuesday, October 18.
Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) spokesman Major Filemon Tan Jr. identified the slain bandit as Ustab Anji.
Tan said Anji was killed around 1 p.m., Monday, October 17, as he grabbed the firearm of his escort while being transported to the police station in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi.
A caliber .45 pistol with ammunition and a grenade was recovered from the possession of Anji when he was arrested.
Tan said Anji, prior to the incident, was arrested by joint military and policemen in the village of Magsagaw, Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi.
Anji has standing warrant of arrest for the crime of kidnapping 21 people, mostly Europeans, from Sidapan, Malaysian on April 23, 2000 and serious illegal detention.
The Abu Sayyaf bandits herded the hostages to the hinterlands of Sulu where they were freed in batches following payment of ransom.
Tan said Anji, who carries P350,000 reward for his arrest, was also involved in the recent kidnappings of Indonesian and Malaysian nationals.