Abu Sayyaf’s Basilan leader slain in clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The leader of Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan was killed in an encounter with soldiers on Friday, Maj. Adrew Linao, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) confirmed yesterday.

Radzmil Jannatul, alias Khubayb, was among four members of the terrorist group who clashed with soldiers belonging to the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion in Barangay Baiwas in Sumisip town, Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Joint Task Force Basilan (JTFB)commander, said.

Gobway said the firefight lasted for 15 minutes. The bandits abandoned their slain comrade as they retreated.

“While scouring the encounter site, troops recovered the body of an Abu Sayyaf bandit who was positively identified as Jannatul,” he said.

Jannatul succeeded Furuji Indama as head of the Abu Sayyaf group in Basilan. Indama died in an encounter with government troopers in October 2020.

Indama was an associate and succeeded Southeast Asia Islamic State emir Isnilon Hapilon, who was killed along with the Maute brothers after leading the Marawi siege in 2017.

Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr. lauded the JTFB for neutralizing the Abu Sayyaf leader.

“This will totally weaken the group and force the remaining members to give up their fight and save themselves,” Rosario said.

Sources said there are only around 15 remaining Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan. – John Unson