Sayyaf commander killed by gov’t troops

ZAMBOANGA CITY – An Abu Sayyaf commander linked to the kidnappings in Sabah, including the one in Sipadan, Malaysia 14 years ago was killed by Navy and Special Action Force commandos killed in Tawi-Tawi yesterday.

The kidnap gang leader known only as Said was killed in the vicinity of sitio Baligtang Asibi, Barangay Sipangkot, Sitangkai town, according to Navy Captain Roy Vincent Trinidad, Joint Task Force ZamBaSulTa chief.

Leading the commandos were Capt. Harry John Delgado, he added.

Said was under the command of Sayyaf sub-leader Alhabshy Misaya and Idang Susukan, who is operating a kidnapping gang in Sabah, Trinidad said.

He was believed to be involved in a series of kidnappings in Sabah, including the snatching of restaurant manager Thien Nyuk Fun and Bernard Then Ted Fen.

Fun was released after payment of ransom, while Fen was beheaded last Tuesday in Mt. Taran, Indanan town, Sulu.

Said and his gang were also linked to the Sipadan hostage taking in 2001, where 21 tourists were kidnapped and brought to Sulu before being released in batches after payment of huge ransom in dollars.

Trinidad said Said was also a suspect in the kidnapping of a Chinese at Labawan Hadji, Singga Mata, in Sampurnah, Sabah; kidnapping of Precillano “Nonong” Garcia, fi nance officer of West Mindanao Mining Co. at Beach Side Inn, Barangay Simandagit, Bongao Tawi-Tawi early this year; and the attempted kidnapping of the owner of the Champion Store at Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.