Sayyaf hitman nabbed in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Army soldiers and policemen arrested a suspected leader of the hit squad of the Abu Sayyaf   in a raid on his hideout in Sumisip, Basilan on Tuesday, according to a military commander.

Col. Eliglen Villaflor of the 4th Special Forces Battalion identified the suspect as Imran Daiyong Mijal, alias Boh, leader of the Urban Terrorist Group of the bandit group.

Villaflor said Mijal was captured following a shootout with members of the 4th Special Forces Battalion and the 64th Infantry Battalion and local policemen who served a warrant for the Abu Sayyaf  leader’s arrest in  Barangay Marang-Marang at 5:20 p.m.

 He said Mijal was shot in the arm.

 Villaflor said Mijal was charged with frustrated murder and tagged in a spate of bombings, kidnappings, ambuscades and extortion.

The Army officer said troops recovered firearms and ammunition from the suspect. 

Villaflor commended civilians for providing information that led to the capture of Mijal.