ASG leader dead in clash

Government security forces killed a leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group, Abdulhasan Yusop Sanajalun, and his follower during an encounter in Basilan yesterday.

Government security forces killed a leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group and his follower during an encounter in Basilan yesterday.

The slain ASG leader was identified as as Abdulhasan Yusop Sanajalun, who uses the aliases “Bullet,” Rhey Cuebas Santos, Arjan Y. Sapii, and Abdulhasa¬an Tannajul.

He is facing charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom before the Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court.

Sanajalun is a well known urban terrorist group leader locally called “Anal Yatim” (Orphans of ASG Martyrs) involved in a series of kidnappings and killings of military and police personnel, retailers, and foreign nationals, according to a statement from the Joint Task Group Basilan.

1st Lt. Sally Magno, public affairs officer, JTG Basilan, said Sanajalun was killed in a clash with police and military forces at around 4 a.m. in Lower Sinangkapan, Tuburan.