Military verifying reported death of Abu Sayyaf leader Sahiron

The military is investigating reports that Abu Sayyaf commander Radullan Sahiron was killed in a clash with Marines in Jolo, Sulu early this month.

Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command chief, said they have received reports that Sahiron, who carries a $200,000 bounty on his head, was slain during the encounter.

“Task Force Comet is verifying that because his horse was killed in an encounter,” he said. “Sahiron always rides the horse when moving so it could be possible that he, too, was hit.”

If Sahiron has indeed been killed, only two top Abu Sayyaf commanders – Isnilon Hapilon and Dr. Abu Pula – are still at large and being hunted down by the military.

They are believed to be coddling Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists Dulmatin, who goes by one name, and Umar Patek.

Both are wanted for the October 2002 bombing in the resort island of Bali in Indonesia that killed more than 200 people.

Last September 2006, Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani was killed in a clash with Marines in the hinterlands of Patikul, Sulu.

His top lieutenant, Abu Solaiman, was killed in a subsequent encounter with Army Special Forces in the island province.

Early this year, Dulmatin was said to have been killed in a firefight with soldiers in Sulu.

However, DNA tests conducted on the remains believed to have been Dulmatin’s have not yielded conclusive results. – James Mananghaya