Abu financer killed in Sulu raid

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines —  A suspected financer of Abu Sayyaf bandits was killed in an alleged shootout with law enforcers in Luuk, Sulu yesterday.

Police and military troopers were about to serve an arrest warrant for Aldasir Makumbong, 37, at his hideout in Barangay Niog-niog when the suspect opened fire, Brig. Gen. Ronaldo Genaro Ylagan, Zamboanga police director, said.

Makumbong was declared dead on arrival at the Luuk District Hospital.

An M14 rifle, bullet shells for a 7.62 mm rifle, ammunition and 750 grams of marijuana were allegedly recovered from the fatality.

Ylagan said Makumbong provided financial assistance and logistics to slain Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Majar Sahijuan, alias Apo Mike, a notorious kidnap gang leader operating at the border of Malaysia and Philippines, and Amlon Abtahi, alias Commander Ammak.

Ylagan said Makumbong was tagged as a sub-leader of  Abu Sayyaf bandits operating in Luuk, Omar and Kalingalan Caluang towns and some areas in Panamao.

Meanwhile, two New People’s Army (NPA) leaders were arrested by Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) units  on Thursday.

Manuelito Satur and his wife Merlyn, secretary and deputy secretary, respectively, of the NPA’s North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, were apprehended in Barangay Alagatan in Gingoog City, Maj. Alex Mindalano, Eastmincom public information office chief, said. – Edith Regalado, Michael Punongbayan, Gerry Lee Gorit