(Eagle News) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday confirmed that a leader of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group was killed in a firefight with the military and police in Bohol on Tuesday.
AFP chief Major General Eduardo Año identified the fatality as Muammar Askali, alias Abu Rami.
“(He) is a very promising leader. Para siyang si Abu Sabaya. Natatandaan niyo? Mahilig magpainterview, mahilig lumabas sa YouTube. At pinapakita niya na capable siya na subleader,” he said in a press conference.
In fact, Año said Askali “volunteers in many kidnapping operations,” including the kidnapping of German Jürgen Kantner, who was beheaded in February; and the abduction of Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipino Tess Flor in June last year.
“We surmise kahapon pa namatay. As early as yesterday we already received some information from sources that (he) was already dead,” he said.
According to Año, the 11 members of the Abu Sayyaf group arrived on the island using three boats, and had the intent of abducting tourists or locals so they could demand for some ransom.
He said upon arrival, the terrorists planned to adapt to the area, “send some contacts in resort targets, and probably conduct the kidnapping(s) in the wee hours of the night.”
According to Año, since each boat could accommodate 10 to 12 persons, and the Abu Sayyaf members were 11, “they (were) expecting probably to kidnap another four to five persons per boat. So at least 10 to 12 kidnap victims.”
“We monitored several flags..On our part, the AFP and (the Philippine National Police), we made these preparations. As early as Friday and Saturday, we already sent an alert warning memo to our troops,” he said.
Army spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said the authorities encountered the group of “heavily-armed lawless elements” in Barangay Napo, Inabanga.
The military said on Tuesday night that of those killed in the clash, five were suspected members of the terrorist group, and four were from the side of the government–one from the PNP and three from the AFP.
“We have successfully thwarted an attempt to destroy peace and security in our provinces with the combined determination of your AFP and the PNP as well as the full cooperation of our citizenry and the local government units in Bohol,” he added, noting that the site of the firefight was far from any tourist destination.
“One thing is sure. (Ang) pagkanegate ng plan nila, malaking setback sa Abu Sayyaf yan,” he said.