Wanted Abu Sayyaf gunman killed in clash with troops

Manila: Marines in Sulu on Friday killed an Abu Sayyaf gunman wanted by the government for kidnapping, according to officials from the armed forces headquarters.

Colonel Eugenio Clemen, commander of the the 3rd Marine Brigade headquartered in Sulu, said Faidar Hadjadi aka "Abu Solomon," engaged government troops late afternoon at a military checkpoint in the village of Ummul, in the municipality of Indanan municipality.

"Abu Solomon resisted arrest by engaging the troops. He was killed in the exchange of fire, while his wounded companion escaped," Col Clemen recounted.

He said Abu Solomon had a warrant of arrest against him for kidnapping and serious illegal detention. The government had put up a 200,000 peso (Dh14,827) bounty for his arrest.

Abu Solomon was riding a motorcycle with another Abu Sayyaf member, Jaiton Torsita Abubakar, when they clashed with government troops. The Marines manning the checkpoint are led by 6th Marine Battalion Landing Team Commanding Officer Lt Col Jimmy Larida.

Meanwhile, Maj Gen Juancho Sabban, commander of the anti-terror Joint Task Force Comet, lauded his troops for their unyielding operations against remaining ASG men.