Abu Sayyaf leader killed in a military encounter

Map showing the areas in Basilan occupied by different militant groups
(Photo from Wikipedia)

An Abu Sayyaf leader was killed in an encounter with police forces at Barangay Lower Siniangkapan in Tuburan, Basilan on a Sunday morning.

Abdulhasan Yusop Sanajalun alias “Bullet” was linked to extortion schemes perpetrated by the militant group, Abu Sayyaf.

According to Lieutenant Sally Magno, public affairs officer of Joint Task Group Basilan, in an interview with Philippine Star, unidentified gun men opened fire at security forces who were serving arrest warrant for serious illegal detention and kidnapping against Sanajalun in Barangay Colonia in Lamitan City.

The security forces and unidentified gun men exchanged fires for 30 minutes before the former were able to locate Sanajalun in Barangay Lower Sinangkapan.

Firearms, such as, caliber .45 pistol and M653 rifle, air gun, magazines with live ammunition, explosive devices and cellphone were seized in the operation. The police will be using these seized items to track Abu Sayyaf’s connections.

“The successful operation against Abdulhasan Sanajalun is a manifestation of the effective cooperation and collaboration of the PNP (Philippine National Police) and local chief executives in running after the perpetrators of terrorists activities in Basilan,” said the chief of Joint Task Force Group Basilan, Col. Rolando Joselito Bautista, chief of the Joint Task Group Basilan, in the same report.

Halid Calbie, follower of Sanajalun was also killed in the encounter while three soldiers received injuries.