Marines kill Abu Sayyaf sub-leader in Sulu sea clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Marines killed a notorious sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf in an encounter at sea off Sulu over the weekend.

 

Badong Muktadil, sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf and of remnants of the Muktadil group involved in cross-border kidnapping operations, was killed in an encounter with the Marines off Parang town, Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS), said.

 

He said Muktadil and his group were on a "jungkong", a type of boat common in Malaysia, when Fleet-Marine forces intercepted them past midnight on Saturday.

 

“Muktadil was killed and his body was recovered while his followers managed to escape towards the shore,” Sobejana said.

 

Muktadil's remains were brought to the Joint Task Force Sulu headquarters at Camp Gen. Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo.

 

“The neutralization of Badong is another big setback on the ASG, particularly on their kidnapping and terroristic activities,” Sobejana said.

 

The military official also lauded the local government for providing information that helped security forces track the movements of the Abu Sayyaf group.