ASG leader in Samal kidnapping and cohorts dead, two captured, two missing

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (December 10, 2016) - The Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) confirms reports by the Sabah authorities on the shootout between Sabah security forces and members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) last Thursday in Lahad Datu in the East of Sabah, Malaysia, military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) Spokesperson Major Filemon I. Tan Jr disclosed that per validation made by this Command, the shootout resulted in the killing of Abraham Hamid, leader of the Samal kidnapping incident, and two (2) of his cohorts. Two (2) Abu Sayyaf members were also apprehended, identified as Samsung Aljan and Awal Hajal, while two (2) others are missing.

Tan added that Hamid, an ASG spotter, was identified as the leader of the Abu Sayyaf members who were involved in the kidnapping of Robert Hall, John Ridsdel, Kjartan Sekkingstad and Maritess Flor on September 21, 2015 at the Ocean View Resort in Camudmud, Samal City, Davao del Sur. He was also tagged in the kidnapping of four (4) Indonesian crew members of Tugboat Henry.

The said Abu Sayyaf members were prevented by security forces in Sabah from executing their kidnapping plans by engaging them in a surprise shootout. The speed board utilized by the Abu Sayyaf members was sunk during the fight.

The death of Hamid is a big blow to the ASG as it neutralized one of the notorious bandits’ leader and will degrade their capability for spotting and kidnapping victims in the future, Tan concluded.