Sayyaf killed in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Marines killed an Abu Sayyaf fighter when they raided a terrorist hideout in Basilan at dawn yesterday.

The fatality in Barangay Bato-Bato in Akbar town was the fifth terrorist killed by the Marines since the military started hunting down those responsible for kidnappings and bombings in Mindanao.

Maj. Eugene Batara, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesman said the latest Abu Sayyaf casualty, who was not identified, was one of more than 30 terrorists that beheaded 10 Marines in Al-Barka and Tipo-Tipo towns last July 10 and in August.

“They break up into smaller groups to evade the troops,” he said.

Batara said the Marines seized an Armalite rifle from the scene as the other Abu Sayyaf terrorists dispersed and escaped in different directions.

“The latest encounter has already resulted to 5 Abu Sayyaf killed in a span of five days of intelligence driven operation,” he said.   – Roel Pareño