Abu Sayyaf denies commander among 12 killed by Philippine army

THE ABU Sayyaf Group (ASG) has confirmed that at least 12 of its members were killed during the fierce gun battle with Philippine troops yesterday but said high-ranking commander Mohammad Said was not among them.

According to ABS-CBN, Abu Rami, a spokesman for ASG, made the denial today after it was publicly announced by Regional Military Commander Maj Filemon Tan that Mohammad, also known as Ama Maas, was included in the fatalities.

Ama Maas has been linked to the abduction of several hostages, including Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad.

The report also quoted Brigadier General Arnel dela Vega, who is the commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu, as saying that they were will validating reports that the ASG commander was killed during the fierce encounter in Barangay Bongkaong, Patikul, in Sulu, southern Philippines Friday morning.

During the fight, 17 soldiers were wounded.

President Rodrigo Duterte had previously ordered the troops to seek and destroy the militants in their jungle bases after the extremists beheaded a Filipino teenager abducted last month.

Tan said Thursday that the militants killed Patrick James Aldovar on Wednesday near southern Sulu province’s Indanan town then later abandoned his head in a neighborhood.

He said Aldovar, who was seized by the militants July 16 in Sulu’s main Jolo town, was decapitated after his family failed to pay ransom.

After learning about the beheading, Duterte ordered his troops: “Drug dealers, destroy them. Abu Sayyaf, destroy them. Period.”

The Abu Sayyaf has been blacklisted as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the Philippines for deadly bombings, kidnappings and beheadings.

According to ABS-CBN, several hostages are still being held in Sulu, including Indonesian sailors, Sekkingstad and Dutchman Ewold Horn who was taken in 2012.