Death of ASG sub-leader Misaya to help AFP in achieving security goals

MANILA –The death of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya, a notorious kidnapper and bomber, will greatly help the military in realizing its security goals in Mindanao.

“The neutralization of Misaya adds a big plus on the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s timeline and brings the community a step closer to peace, progress and sustainable security,” AFP spokesperson Brig.Gen. Restituto Padilla said Sunday.

He was referring to the six-month self imposed of deadline of AFP chief-of-staff Eduardo Año to eradicate the bandit group, a pledge the latter shortly after his assumption of the military’s highest position last December.

The operation which neutralized Misaya took place around 9:35 p.m. Friday at Barangay Silangkan,Indanan town, Sulu

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

“His followers hopefully get the message that the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with them and hence, motivate them to turn a new leaf and seriously consider surrendering. It also sends a clear message to the community that supporting criminals will not bring them a better life but only greater misery if they insist on providing them safe havens. The AFP, without doubt, communicated its serious intent in addressing the threat posed by this group and its dedication to serve and secure the people,” Padilla stressed.

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

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

A bomb expert, Misaya was involved in many ASG bombing attacks such as 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 March 2011 bombing of Dennis Coffee Shop at Barangay San Raymundo, Jolo, Sulu which killed four civilians and wounded 11 others to name a few.