Alleged Abu Sayyaf killed in Basilan

October 30, 2020

An alleged  Abu Sayyaf member was killed in a clash with government troops in Basilan on Thursday, a military official said Friday.

Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr. said slain was a man identified as alias Botak.

Vinluan said man was killed during a five-minute firefight between  government troops and three alleged Abu Sayyaf members at the vicinity of Barangay Felang, Ungkaya Pukan municipality around 4 pm.

He said alias Botak is a known follower of  Abu |Sayyaf sub-leader Furuji Indama, believed  killed during the encounter with the troops of 44IB last September.

“The neutralized personality was onboard a motorcycle along with two of his comrades when they were intercepted by the operating troops of the 101st Infantry Brigade and the 18th Infantry Battalion, and the firefight ensued,” Vinluan said.

According to Joint Task Force Basilan Commander Col. Domingo Gobway, the  troops recovered the body of Botak with one M60 machine gun, and one motorcycle.

"Our operating troops continue to scour the area to arrest the companions of alias Botak," Gobway said. Robina Asido/DMS