Abu Sayyaf ‘coddler’ killed in gunfight

MARINE soldiers killed in a gunfight Saturday, March 10, a suspected “supporter and coddler” of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Luuk town in Sulu, a military official said Sunday.

Captain Maria Rowena Dalmacio, director of the Marine Corps public affairs office, said elements of Marine Battalion Landing Team 1 conducted an operation in Barangay Tubig-Puti at around 5:10 p.m., after receiving a report from a concerned citizen about a person allegedly coddling ASG members in their area.

The suspect, identified as Muksidin Dadil, allegedly fired at the troops upon their arrival.

Troops recovered one 5.56MM long plastic magazine, seven rounds of 7.62MM ammunitions, two spent shells of 7.62MM, two live ammos of calibre .30, one duffle bag, two water bowls, a bolo, a pair combat boots, four assorted uniforms, one combat rig with 14 pieces magazine pouches, two cellular phones without simcard and three ID cards belonging to Rodelyn Kadil and Muksidin Kadil.

Dadil’s remains were turned over to Muen Lumangkong, the officer-incharge of the said barangay for proper disposition.

“After the intensive campaign of the military in Sulu against the Abu Sayyaf Group, it is expected that more members of the said terrorist group will surrender,” said Colonel Armel Tolato, Philippine Marine Ready Force-Sulu commander, in a statement.

“We welcome those who want to return to the folds of the law and live normal lives. But for those who choose otherwise, we will relentlessly pursue them,” he added.