KOTA KINABALU – Philippine security forces have gunned down Abu Sayyaf sub-commander Apo Mike at Barangay Kalupag Island at Languyan in Tawi-Tawi, close to Sabah, yesterday evening.
Apo Mike, whose real name is Majan Sahidjuan, is believed to be responsible for a spate of kidnappings in Sabah waters over the past years.
According to the Star, his death comes two days after Sabah’s remaining kidnap victims – three Indonesian fishermen – were rescued by Philippine security forces on March 18.
Philippine media had said that prior to his death that Apo Mike was with his comrades and three Indonesian hostages snatched from Sabah in January last year, when they got into trouble because of faulty boats.
Apo Mike was marooned on the island after his boat capsized, while two of his comrades fled with the hostages in another vessel that later also sprung a leak.
One of the escaping Abu Sayyaf group members – Suhud Salasim, believed to be a foot soldier of Apo Mike – was arrested while the hostages were rescued.
Troops of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-6 under Lt Col Venjie Pendon responded to a distress call over the presence of suspicious armed men on Barangay Kalupag Island.
Lt Gen Corleto Vinluan Jr, commander of Western Mindanao Command, said the men opened fire at security forces when they approached the island.
A firefight ensued, Pendon said, in which the Abu Sayyaf man was severely injured.
“He was abandoned by his two comrades who fled bringing along the remaining Indonesian kidnap victim with them.
“He was severely wounded during the encounter last night. We tried to save him but his gunshot wounds were fatal,” Pendon said.
Vinluan Jr, meanwhile, said security forces will remain on high alert for the remaining Abu Sayyaf members and step up operations to capture them. – The Vibes, March 21, 2021
