A SUBLEADER of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) wanted for a series of kidnapping cases of mostly foreigners, was killed last Saturday during a firefight with Marine forces in Sulu.
Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the military’s Joint Task Force Sulu, identified the slain ASG leader as Badong Muktadil, the subject of a continuous manhunt by the military in the province.
“At around midnight last night, while the Fleet-Marine Forces of JTF Sulu conducted maritime interdiction in the seawaters of Barangay Silangkan, Parang, Sulu, engaged in a firefight against the group of notorious ASG/ KFRG [kidnap-for-ransom group] Badong Muktadil aboard a Jungkong-type watercraft. Badong Muktadil was killed during the process,” Sobejana said last Sunday.
The military commander said the death of Muktadil would be a big blow to the ASG, especially in their criminal activities.
“The neutralization of Badong is another big setback on the ASG, particularly on their kidnapping and terroristic activities making the residents in Sulu feel some relief from the threat posed by Badong’s group,” Sobejana said.
“JTF Sulu would like to thank the concerned citizens and the local government in the area for promptly informing us the presence of the lawless elements that led to their neutralization, thus thwarting their hostile plans,” he added.
Sobejana said Muktadil and his group have five warrants of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention and for murder.
They are also wanted by Malaysian authorities for their involvement in sea jacking, attacks on foreign vessels and abduction at the maritime borders of Tawi-tawi and Sabah.