Logger slain by Abu Sayyaf in Basilan; 6 escape

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits shot dead a lumberjack while his companions managed to escape in Maluso, Basilan on Friday, police learned yesterday. 

The fatality was identified as Eutiquio Auxtero, 39, a resident of Barangay Tubigan. 

The Maluso police said the victim and his companions were on their way to a mountain when they were stopped by a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits led by Pasil Bayali and Guraba Gulam in Sitio Alleng, Barangay Tubigan at about 10 a.m. 

Bayali reportedly shot Auxtero in the head using an M16 rifle, prompting the other loggers to scamper toward Barangay Tubigan. 

Responding police officers said Bayali was positively identified by one of Auxtero’s companions. 

Police and military personnel launched pursuit operations, but they failed to catch up with the suspects. 

The body of the victim was turned over to his family.

Last month, suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits reportedly shot and beheaded a villager they suspected of giving information that led to the arrest of one of their cohorts in Indanan, Sulu. 

Police said the bandits dumped the decapitated body of the victim a few meters away from the house of their arrested cohort.