ASG bandit killed in Basilan clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 30, 2020): ASG bandit killed in Basilan clash (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

KILLED. An Abu Sayyaf Group bandit identified as Botak Bero was killed in a clash Thursday (Oct. 29, 2020) with government forces in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan province. Aside from Bero's remains, the troops have also recovered an M-60 machinegun and a motorcycle (not in photo). (Photo courtesy of Western Mindanao Command Public Information Office)

An Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandit was killed in a clash in the hinterlands of Basilan province, a top military official announced Friday.

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), identified the slain bandit as Botak Bero, a follower of Furuji Indama, the Basilan-based ASG leader.

Vinluan said Bero was killed in a five-minute clash that broke out around 4 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Felang, Ungkaya Pukan.

“The neutralized (ASG) personality was on board a motorcycle along with two of his comrades when they were intercepted by the operating troops of the 101st Infantry Brigade and the 18th Infantry Battalion, and the firefight ensued,” Vinluan said.

Col. Domingo Gobway, Joint Task Force Basilan commander, said the troops recovered the body of Bero, an M-60 machine gun, and a motorcycle at the clash site.

Gobway said “our operating troops continue to scour the area to arrest the companions of Bero."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1120188