13 MORE ABU SAYYAF MILITANTS TO GO
Top commander Al Habsi Misaya is latest to be killed
HANI SHAMIRA SHAHRUDIN KUALA LUMPUR news@nst.com.my
ABU Sayyaf leader Al Habsi Misaya, who was among the 23 people wanted by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom), is believed to have been killed in a gun battle with Philippines security forces.
With his death, 13 more militants believed to be linked to the Abu Sayyaf terror group, are still being hunted by ESSCom and its counterparts in the Philippines.
ESSCom commander Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said 10 out of the 23 people linked to the Abu Sayyaf had been killed in gun battles.
“In July, we released a list of 23 wanted individuals being hunted down by ESSCom for suspected involvement in cross-border crime.
“The list was circulated here (in Sabah) and to our counterparts in the Philippines.
“So far, we have seen positive development (in the effort to hunt down the men),” he told the New Sunday Times.
When asked if there was a possibility that Abu Sayyaf militants would sneak into the country through Sabah following their leaders being killed, Wan Abdul Bari said he had not ruled out the possibility.
He said they might do so especially when they felt pressured in the Phillippines. Therefore, security had been increased to the highest level, he added.
“Troops guarding the border have enhanced their security level and have been reminded to conduct ‘aggressive’ checks,” Wan Abdul Bari said, adding that pictures of the 13 wanted militants had been given to the security forces.
It was reported that Al Habsi, one of Malaysia’s most-wanted terrorists, is believed to have been killed in the Indanan area of Jolo at 9.35pm on Friday when Philippines security forces were tracking down Abu Sayyaf gunmen on the island.
He was wanted for numerous high-profile kidnappings in Sabah’s east coast.
Al Habsi was among the four top Abu Sayyaf commanders able to order major kidnappings at the Sabah and southern Philippines sea border.
The reports of his death came about two weeks after his close ally, Maummar Askali @ Abu Rami, was killed in central Philippines while allegedly planning to kidnap tourists on Bogol island.
Other commanders like Idang Susukan and Apo Mike are believed to have been killed or seriously injured in gun battles in Jolo island earlier last
Troops guarding the border have enhanced their security level and have been reminded to conduct ‘aggressive’ checks.
month.
Al Habsi was believed to have financed previous cross-border kidnappings in Sabah by providing fuel money, boats and firearms.