Abu Sayyaf militant killed in Basilan firefight

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -- An Abu Sayyaf militant was killed in an operation launched Wednesday dawn by military and civilian forces in a village of Sumisip town, Basilan.

Killed in the encounter was Garabat, a henchman of notorious Abu Sayyaf leader Furuji Indama, Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said.

Tan said composite forces of the 64th Infantry Battalion, Civilian Active Auxiliary and civilian volunteers of Sumisip town staged the operation against the Abu Sayyaf group about 5:40 a.m. at Barangay Sapah Bulak.

Tan said Garabat died in the ensuing firefight. He said Garabat’s comrades managed to escape in the heat of the fighting.

He said government forces recovered Garabat's remains and his R4 assault rifle.

Meanwhile, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman said he is confident the government can rid Basilan of the Abu Sayyaf group's presence. He said local government units have been conducting joint operations with the military and police forces.

“The local government units are now taking the lead in ridding their areas of the presence of the Abu Sayyaf group,” Hataman said.

He said the LGUs must have strong control over their jurisdictions to maintain peace and security and to spur development to keep their constituents from being lured into joining the Abu Sayyaf group, which is known for kidnapping for ransom.