Suspected Abu Sayyaf member slain in Lamitan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group was gunned down in the busy downtown area of Lamitan City, Basilan on Monday morning.

Police identified the victim as Abdul Asmaril Lampas, a native of Ungkaya Pukan town, said to be member and spotter of the Abu Sayyaf.

Police Senior Inspector Gean Gallardo, officer-in-charge of Lamitan City Police Office, said the victim was on board a motorcycle when he was shot several times by a lone gunman at Oval, Barangay Matibay, at around 8:40 a.m.

Gallardo said Lampas sustained seven gunshot wounds in the body.

He said investigators have yet to determine the motive of the killing.

He added that Lampas was a suspected member of the bandit group, responsible for several kidnappings and killings in the southernmost provinces of Mindanao.