Abu man tagged in kidnap of 3 Americans slain in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY – An Abu Sayyaf rebel, involved in the kidnapping of three US citizens, was killed while his companion was wounded in an encounter against the Marines in Indanan, Sulu, an official said yesterday.

Task Force Comet chief Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban identified the slain suspect as Faidar Hadjadi alias Abu Solomon, an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader of the urban terror group unit, while his wounded companion was identified as Jaiton Torsita Abubakar.

Sabban said the suspects were on board a motorcycle when they were chanced upon in a checkpoint set up by the Task Force Comet in Ummul Village at Barangay Kajatian, Indanan town about 7:45p.m Friday.

Firefight ensued as the suspects fired on the Marines manning the checkpoint before Hadjadi was killed while Abubakar who was wounded managed to escape.

The troops recovered the suspect’s .45 caliber pistol, a cellphone unit, and the motorcycle colored red. His body was brought to the headquarters of Task Force Comet.

Sabban said Hadjadi, who carried a reward of P300,000 on his head, was wanted for his participation in the Dos Palmas kidnapping incident in Basilan in June 2001, which included among their hostages an American missionary couple and a US businessman.

“The subject is wanted for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom for his participation in the Dos Palmas incident,” Sabban said. – Roel Pareño