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Southeast Asia

2 Abu Sayyaf suspects accused of beheading foreign nationals surrender

2022-06-18

[BenarNews] Two wanted Abu Sayyaf ...also known as al-Harakat al-Islamiyya, an Islamist terror group based in Jolo, Basilan and Zamboanga. Since its inception in the early 1990s, the group has carried out bombings, kidnappings, murders, head choppings, and extortion in their uniquely Islamic attempt to set up an independent Moslem province in the Philippines. Abu Sayyaf forces probably number less than 300 cadres. The group is closely allied with remnants of Indonesia's Jemaah Islamiya and has loose ties with MILF and MNLF who sometimes provide cannon fodder... suspects accused of beheading foreign nationals surrendered to the military Friday in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, a move authorities are calling a serious blow to the murderous Moslem group. Suspected Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders Almujer Yadah, (also called Mujer), 55, and Ben Quirino, (also called Ben Tatto), 41, walked into the army’s Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu headquarters in Jolo, Sulu’s capital town, surprising officials there. They are considered among the "most notorious" of the group’s men, said the JTF commander in Sulu, Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio. "They have many cases, with warrants of arrest, ranging from kidnapping for ransom and many others [against them]," Patrimonio said of the two murderous Moslems, who were known to operate from the jungles of Indanan and Patikul town in Sulu. "They are involved in the abduction and beheading of foreign nationals." The surrender of the two sub-leaders, which was facilitated by military and police units, has dealt "serious leadership and organization setbacks" to the Abu Sayyaf, said Lt. Col. Alaric delos Santos, JTF Sulu civil military operations officer. The reason for the surrender? "Because they were always on the run, have no place to hide, [were] exhausted and often experienced starvation," he said. "They also revealed that they no longer have the support of the community and were asked to stay away from the community," said delos Santos. The suspects have seven standing arrest warrants against them, including for kidnapping with serious illegal detention, the complex crime of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder, and violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act, Sulu provincial police director Col. Jaime Mojica told news hounds. Yadah and Quirino were key participants in the kidnapping and beheading of German Jurgen Kantner, he said. The Abu Sayyaf reportedly seized Kantner and his wife, Sabine Merz, while the couple was on their yacht in Sabah in November 2016. The yacht was later found in Sulu, with the body of Merz who was shot by the perpetrators. Kantner was brought to Indanan where he was beheaded by his captors after three months, Mojica said. Mojica said the two were also involved in the kidnapping and beheading of Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall. Ridsdel, Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipina Marites Flor were taken from a posh resort on Samal Island in Davao del Norte in September 2015. Ridsdel and Hall ended up being beheaded months later while Sekkingstad and Flor were released. Mojica said Yadah and Quirino were also involved in the kidnapping of 21 mostly European victims at a diving resort in Sipadan, Malaysia, in 2000. They were also said to be involved in the beheading of captured soldiers. Mojica said Yadah and Quirino were also tied to the twin bombings in Jolo in August 2020 that left 15 people dead, including soldiers, and scores others injured. Delos Santos said Yadah and Quirino will have to face the charges against them. "They will undergo the legal process of the law and will pay for the crime they have committed," he said. He said the two will be immediately sent to police custody for the legal process as they faced serious criminal charges.

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Southeast Asia

Abu Sayyaf bomb injures four

2019-08-25

[Sunstar] Three soldiers and a policeman were wounded in an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion in Sulu while another IED was disrupted in Maguindanao, military officials said Tuesday, August 20. Military spokesman Arvin John Encinas said the IED explosion happened around 10:15 a.m. Monday in Igasan village, Patikul, Sulu. Encinas said the soldiers together with policemen from Patikul town rushed to Igasan village following reports of the presence of an IED in the area. He said the troops were about to render safe procedure through “blast in place” when the IED exploded and wounded four of them. The blast occurred hours after the Abu Sayyaf rebels ambushed a police convoy, also in Patikul, Sulu. Two policemen were wounded in the ambush that happened Monday morning in the village of Igasan, Patikul. Encinas said the convoy was providing security for teachers traveling from Igasan to Taglibi village, Patikul. Meanwhile, soldiers disrupted an IED on Monday night in Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Maguindanao. The IED was found in Poblacion village, Datu Anggal Midtimbang. It was found hours after another IED exploded, also in Poblacion, Datu Anggal Midtimbang.

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Southeast Asia

Unconfirmed reports that key Abu Sayyaf leader killed in Philippines

2019-02-09

[Arab News] MANILA: A key leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), believed to have been involved in the Jan. 27 twin bombings of a Roman Catholic Cathedral in the Philippines, was killed in a military offensive in southern Sulu island, authorities said on Thursday. Maj. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ‐ Joint Task Force Sulu, said information had been received about Indang Susukan’s death. However, the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), the police force that tracks the ASG, could not confirm the reports of Susukan’s death. "We’re still validating the information," an AKG official told Arab News. Susukan belonged to one of the main ASG factions on the Sulu islands, commanded by Hatib Hajjan Sawadjaan. Authorities said Sawadjaan deployed the two alleged suicide bombers from Indonesia to carry out the attack on Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, which killed 23 people and wounded more than 100. Following the bombings, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered government troops to crush the ASG and other militant groups on the island of Mindanao. On Feb. 2, the military engaged approximately 100 ASG members in a fierce gunbattle in the jungles of Patikul town in Sulu. Five soldiers and three ASG gunmen were killed, while 18 were wounded from the government side and 15 from the group, including Susukan. According to intelligence reports, he succumbed to his wounds on Feb. 4. Pabayo said an announcement will be made when the information is confirmed, adding that Susukan was linked to high-profile kidnapping cases.

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Southeast Asia

Abu Sayyaf frees captive son of Mindanao mayor

2018-12-31

[Inquirer] After more than a year in captivity, Jed Quimbo, son of Labason Mayor Eddie Quimbo, was freed by the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul town, Sulu. Police regional director Emmanuel Licup said Quimbo was freed around on Sunday afternoon, in the vicinity of Anuling village. Quimbo was abducted in September, 2017, in Labason by six unidentified men who forced him to board a van. Licup said Quimbo was released by the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul and later, was handed over to his brother Justin. “Mister Justin Quimbo was together with former Governor Abdusakur Tan. The kidnap victim was presented to officer-in-charge of the Joint Task Force Sulu at the residence of Tan,” Licup said citing a report from the Sulu Provincial Police Office.

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Southeast Asia

Four Philippine troops injured in clash with Abu Sayyaf

2018-11-13

[Manila Times] Four soldiers, including a Philippine army officer, were injured in a fierce battle with Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Sulu province, officials said on November 7. Miliary spokesman Gerry Besana said the fighting broke out in the village of Panglayahan in Patikul town. He said that troops clashed on the afternoon of November 5 with about 50 gunmen under Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron. Besana said, “Heavy skirmishes ensued which resulted in the wounding of an Army officer and three soldiers, while heavy casualties were reported on the enemy’s side."

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Southeast Asia

Seven Abu Sayyaf rebels slain in Sulu

2018-09-18

[PhilStar] Seven Abu Sayyaf gunmen were killed and 17 soldiers were injured in gunfights Saturday in Patikul town in Sulu. Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City said the hostilities in Barangay Bakong, Patikul broke out when Abu Sayyaf rebels opened fire from two directons on soldiers approaching their lair. The soldiers returned fire and succeeded in driving their attackers away after killing seven of them in the two-hour exchange. The soldiers were to check out Barangay Bakong due to the reported presence there of notorious Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron and his lieutenants, Hatib Sawadjaan and Idang Susukan, all wanted for crimes, including multiple murder, frustrated murder and kidnappings. Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo of the Joint Task Force Sulu said seven bodies of Abu Sayyaf militants were found scattered in the scenes of the running firefights. Six other rebels were reportedly injured in the clash. Pabayo also reported that 17 of his men were injured as they exchanged fire with Sahiron and his followers. Sawadjaan reportedly sustained a bullet wound in the lower torso.

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Southeast Asia

Abu Sayyaf leader killed, five surrender in Sulu

2018-08-16

[CNN] An Abu Sayyaf subgroup leader was slain five other rebels surrendered to the military in two separate incidents in Sulu on Wednesday. Reports from the Western Mindanao Command said Absulajim Abdulgani, also known as Suraka Ingog, was killed in a joint police and military operation in Patikul town's Kalimayahan Village. Recovered from the body of Abdulgani — an alleged Abu Sayyaf subgroup leader and bomb expert — were a .45-caliber pistol with magazine, ammunition, and ₱2,421 in cash. In a separate incident, another listed Abu Sayyaf subgroup leader and four of his followers surrendered to troops Wednesday morning. Leader Ali Hassan and militants Omar Innol, Simal Alam, Kimbo Alam, and Hayudini Amil yielded to the Joint Task Force Sulu.

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Southeast Asia

Five Abus, one soldier killed in Sulu clashes

2018-07-23

[PhilStar] Five Abu Sayyaf bandits and a Philippine soldier were killed in two separate encounters in Sulu on Thursday. Military spokesman Gerry Besana said four followers of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Almujer Yaddah were killed and four other rebels injured in the clash with soldiers at the boundary of Barangays Tanum and Liang in Patikul town. Joint Task Force Sulu commander Divino Rey Pabayo said, "We lost one soldier... Two others who were wounded were evacuated to the Camp Teodulfo Station Hospital based in Jolo." Another clash, in which another rebel was killed, occurred between troops and the group of Almadjan Sahidjuan, alias Apoh Mike, in Barangay Tabu-Bato, Maimbung. The military has intensified its operations against the Abu Sayyaf after six kidnap victims rescued by the military on Tuesday revealed that they were with two other hostages when they were held captive in Sulu for 20 days. The rescued victims said they were with Jelster Ed Tiu Quimbo, the son of Labason town Mayor Eddie Quimbo, who was kidnapped in March last year, and coconut farmer Jose Duterte, who was seized along with his wife Jessica in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte last year.

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Southeast Asia

Abu Sayyaf releases another hostage in Sulu

2018-05-22

[Xinhua] The Abu Sayyaf released on Monday a Philippine government engineer they had kidnapped three months ago, the military said Monday. Military spokesman Cirilito Sobejana said the rebels freed Enrico Nee on Monday morning in Latih, a village in Patikul town in the southern Philippine province of Sulu. Nee was abducted by Abu Sayyaf militants in Jolo town on February 14. Sobejana said,"He recalled that he was cornered by seven heavily armed men on board a jeep. He was brought to the mountainous part of Patikul where a bigger Abu Sayyaf formation was waiting." Sobejana said the rebels abandoned Nee due to health problems. The villagers reported Nee's presence to officials immediately, he added. Nee told military that he has been in three armed clashes between the military and the Abu Sayyaf during his captivity. Sobejana said, "He said the Abu Sayyaf may have released him because he delays their movement due to his health condition and probably the Abu Sayyaf don't want him to die due to sickness under their custody."

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Southeast Asia

Abu Sayyaf releases two captive policewomen

2018-05-21

[PhilStar] The Abu Sayyaf has released two female police officers it had abducted in Patikul in late April. A source said the Abu Sayyaf group freed Dinah Gumahad on Tuesday afternoon and Benierose Alvarez on Wednesday morning. Alvarez was released in Talipao town. The source could not say if ransom was paid for the release of the pair, who were abducted on April 29 along with companions Blas Jackosalim Ahamad and Faizal Ahidji at Barangay Liang, Patikul town. The Abu Sayyaf group earlier demanded P5 million ransom for the two cops and P300,000 each for Ahamad and Ahidji. The Philippine government has a standing policy against paying ransom. Three soldiers have been killed and 24 others have been injured in three major clashes in Patikul during an operation to rescue the kidnapped cops. The military said 11 Abu Sayyaf rebels were killed and several others were wounded in the encounters.

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Southeast Asia

Three Abu Sayyaf rebels killed in Patikul clash

2018-05-08

[SunStar] At least three Abu Sayyaf militants were killed and seven soldiers were injured in a clash on Monday morning during operations in Patikul town, Sulu to rescue police personnel abducted by the terrorists. An undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf militants were also hurt in the encounter and in the airstrikes and artillery bombardment that followed. Military spokesman Cirilito Sobejana said troops were on a rescue mission when they got into a gun battle with some 70 Abu Sayyaf rebels at Sitio Sangay, Barangay Buhanginan, Patikul town. He said the Abu Sayyaf faction was led by Idang Susukan and Almujer Yadah, both believed responsible for the abduction of Benierose Alvarez and Dinah Gumahad in the same town on April 29. The militants also seized the companions of the policemen, Jakosalem Ahamad Blas and Faizal Ahidji. Three Abu Sayyaf killed in the encounter were initially identified as Moktar, Julhadi and Surayb. They were carried away by their fleeing comrades, the military said. Sobejana said, "The clash resulted in seven soldiers wounded... A number of ASG (Abu Sayyaf group) members are also believed to have been wounded as bloodstains were seen along the ASG's withdrawal route." He said military units near the operation area pursued the withdrawing rebels, who were also hit by artillery as they ran away. MG-520 attack helicopters provided air support.

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Southeast Asia

Abu Sayyaf seizes two policewomen, two civilians

2018-05-02

[Mindanao Examiner] Security forces launched a massive operation to rescue four people, two of them policewomen, who were seized by Abu Sayyaf militants in Sulu province. Policemen and soldiers were searching for police officers Benierose Alvarez and Dinah Gumahad, and civilians Jakosalem Blas and Faizal Ahidji. They were traveling on a motorcycle taxi on Sunday afternoon when about a dozen gunmen flagged down their vehicle in Liang village in Patikul town and took them away. Police have identified the gang’s leader as Mujir Yada.

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