AN ALLEGED associate of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was killed in a shootout in a law enforcement operation launched by authorities in Zamboanga City, the police said Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
Police Colonel Fidel Fortaleza, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director, identified the slain alleged ASG associate as Nasser Taman, 29, who uses the alias Gapur.
Fortalez said Taman was killed during a joint police and military law enforcement operation around 8:05 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, in Sitio Cambodia, Sangali village, Zamboanga City.
Fortaleza said the shootout ensued after Taman shot the Marine troops positioned as blocking forces along the shore of Sangali while he tried to escape aboard a motorboat.
He said the suspect was killed when the troops retaliated.
The joint police and military troops were serving an arrest warrant against Taman, who at that time was armed with a caliber .45 pistol.
The slain suspect is facing charges at a local court for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Mukattil Adjail, village chief of Sangali, said Taman had been a headache in the community.
Aside from illegally possessing firearm, Adjail the slain suspect is also allegedly involved in illegal drug activities.
“He is really notorious,” Adjail said.
The joint police and military operatives have recovered some 100 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, worth P680,000 from the slain ASG associate. (SunStar Zamboanga)