Abu Sayyaf gunrunner killed in Sulu clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20, 2021): Abu Sayyaf gunrunner killed in Sulu clash (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

KILLED. Wahid Sahid, a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), was killed in a clash with police officers in Panamao, Sulu on Saturday (Feb. 20, 2021). Sahid, a member of the group of ASG sub-leader Almujir Yadah, is also engaged in arms smuggling. (Photo courtesy of PNP-AKG)

An Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member engaged in smuggling of firearms was killed in an arms buy-bust in Sulu on Saturday.

In a statement, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas said Wahid Sahid, who belongs to the group of ASG sub-leader Almujir Yadah, is also a member of a private armed group operating in the second district of Sulu.

"The police operatives foiled a possible kidnapping activity by Sahid as per order from his ASG Sub Leader Almujir Yadah", Sinas said.

Sahid is also engaged in the smuggling of firearms and providing high-powered firearms to the ASG and kidnap-for-ransom groups in Zamboanga City and Sulu.

Citing the report of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), Sinas said AKG members launched an operation against Sahid in Sitio Buton, Barangay Kansipat, Panamao, Sulu for alleged illegal selling of high powered firearms, ammunitions, and explosives.

After the transaction between Sahid and the police poseur-buyer, the latter gave the pre-arranged signal to the operatives to arrest the suspect.

However, Sahid noticed the presence of the authorities and immediately picked up his M-14 rifle and fired at the arresting team.

This prompted government security troops to retaliate, which resulted in the suspect's death.

Based on intelligence information of AKG, Sahid and his group were monitored in Barangay Labuan, Zamboanga City in January while conducting surveillance on prominent and wealthy families they could possibly kidnap.

Recovered from the encounter site were an M14 rifle with inserted magazine and ammunition used by the suspect; an M14 rifle with inserted magazine and ammunition; an M14 rifle without magazine; an M203 grenade launcher and two 40mm ammunition.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1131353