ASG leader killed in Tawi-Tawi encounter

From The Manila Times (Jan 31, 2021): ASG leader killed in Tawi-Tawi encounter (By Al Jacinto) 

A sub-leader of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was killed in a clash with policemen in the southern Philippine province of Tawi-Tawi, according to officials.

The officials on Friday said Alkam Hadjail exchanged gunfire with commandos, who were trying to capture him in Maraning village in Languyan town on Thursday.

Hadjail opened fire on police forces sent there to serve a warrant of arrest.

He was involved in terrorism and ransom kidnappings in Mindanao and was eventually tracked down in his hideout by security forces.

Meanwhile, the fighting happened on the same day soldiers ordered the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to dismantle its camp in the capital town of Bongao after villagers noticed the presence of strangers in the area.

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said the illegal camp, which was accessible by boat in the village of Lakit-Lakit, raised serious security concerns among civilians in the town.

“The camp, which is accessible by boat, has become a serious security concern for the people of Bongao due to the continuous construction of perimeter houses and the reported presence of people not from the province,” Vinluan added.

He said the illegal establishment of the camp is a violation of the peace accord that the MNLF signed with Manila in 1996.

“This is a clear violation of the 1996 final peace agreement between the government and the MNLF. Hence, [a] series of dialogues were conducted by the provincial government and the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi with the local MNLF (leaders) for the dismantling of the structure,” Vinluan added.

He said the local government and the military exhausted all diplomatic means to compel the group to peacefully dismantle and vacate their unauthorized encampment.

Gov. Yshmael Sali said only police and military camps are allowed in Tawi-Tawi, one of five provinces under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“We disallow the establishment of camps except those by legitimate security forces [such as] the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police here in Tawi-Tawi,” he added.

There was no immediate statement from MNLF’s Nur Misuari, chief of the former rebel group.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/01/31/news/regions/asg-leader-killed-in-tawi-tawi-encounter/835339/