Abu Sayyaf sub-leader killed in clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A sub-leader of Abu Sayyaf bandits was killed in an alleged shootout with law enforcers shortly after midnight yesterday.

Samad Awang fired at police and military personnel of Joint Task Force Zamboanga serving an arrest warrant at his hideout in Sitio Sahaya, Barangay Mampang, Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief, said.

“With their lives in danger, the apprehending team retaliated, which resulted in the death of Awang,” Vinluan said.

He said Awang was behind the kidnapping of Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay in 2007 and two Filipinos in 2011 and 2013.