Abu tipster gets P1-M reward

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  – A civilian who tipped Marines on the hideout of Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu has received a reward of P1 million.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief, handed the money to the informant at Camp Navarro in this city on Friday afternoon.

Galvez said local officials of Sulu, who refused to be identified for security reasons, raised the reward.  

Galvez said information provided by the civilian prompted soldiers of the Marine Special Operations Group under Joint Task Force Sulu to launch an offensive targeting the hideout of Abu Sayyaf leader Alhabsy Misaya in Barangay Silangkan, Indanan on April 29.

Misaya, an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader notorious for kidnapping crewmembers of ships that sail past the border of Malaysia, Indonesia and Mindanao, was killed in the operation. 

“Misaya was among the targets the police and military had worked on in past years,” Galvez said as he commended the informant for his bravery. 

Misaya was reportedly groomed to head a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits after sub-leader Muamar Asklai, alias Abu Rami was killed in an encounter with soldiers in Inabanga, Bohol.