Notorious ASG sub-leader Misaya neutralized in Sulu ops: AFP

MANILA—Marine units have shot and killed Alhabsy Misaya, one of the most notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) sub-leaders wanted for several counts of kidnapping and bomb attacks, during operations in Indanan town, Sulu province Friday night.

This was confirmed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Saturday afternoon.

“Gen. Eduardo Año, Chief of Staff of the AFP, confirms the neutralization of ASG sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya in Indanan, Sulu during a military operation late Friday evening. Troops from assigned Philippine Marine units killed the Abu Sayyaf extremist commander, who is considered to be one of the most notorious kidnappers in southern Philippines,” he said.

The operation that neutralized Misaya took place at about 9:35 p.m. in Barangay Silangkan.

No other details could be provided as follow-up operations are ongoing, Padilla pointed out.

“Focused military operations targeting local terrorist groups in all other areas continue as well,” he said.

Misaya was a Sulu-based ASG sub-leader and a native of Barangay Bunot, Indanan, Sulu.

He has a standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom (CC nos: 06-10; 1720-3 and 06-10; 1719-3), penalized under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code.

A bomb expert, Misaya was involved in many ASG bombing attacks, among them the October 2002 Malagutay bombing that killed US serviceman Sgt. Mark Jackson and the wounding of 23 others, including another US serviceman; the January 2009 bombing of the Salaam Bridge in Barangay Bato-Bato, Indanan, Sulu; and the March 2011 bombing of Dennis Coffee Shop at Barangay San Raymundo, Jolo, Sulu that killed four civilians and injured 11 others.