Abu Sayyaf leader in kidnapping of Germans killed
MANILA, Philippines—An Abu Sayyaf sub-leader tagged in the abduction of two Germans recently was killed in Sulu Saturday afternoon.
Sihata Muallom Asmad–also known as “Sihata Latip,” “Ka Tatang” and “Tatang”–resisted arrest and opened fire at military and police who tried to arrest him, said Joint Task Group Sulu commander Col. Allan Arrojado.
A soldier was also killed while another was wounded in the brief firefight that ensued at about 4:45 p.m. in Barangay Duyan Kaha in Parang, Sulu, the military said.
“Hindi siya (Asmad) ang leader sa German kidnapping, si Hatib Sawadjaan. Kasama ang grupo niya sa pagbantay (sa Germans),” Arrojado said in a text message sent to INQUIRER.net
[He (Asmad) was not the leader in the German kidnapping, it was Hatib Sawadjaan. His group guarded the Germans.]
Asmad, who reportedly had a P5.3-million bounty on his head, was wanted for a string of kidnappings, including that of 10 workers of the Golden Harvest Plantation in Lantawan, Basilan; and of sex members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Patikul, Sulu, in 2001.
He also reportedly participated in the abduction of 21 people from the Malaysian dive spot on Sipadan Island in Sabah in 2000.
A P5.3-million reward was offered for his capture, said Chief Insp. Elizabeth Jasmin, spokesperson of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
AFP Chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. commended the troops for “neutralizing a wanted criminal.”
Germans Stefan Viktor Okonek and Henrike Dielen were abducted last April while on a yacht off Palawan. They were freed last Oct. 17. The Abu Sayyaf said a P250-million ransom was paid, but the military denied the claim. With a report from Julie M. Aurelio
RELATED STORIES
After freed Germans, at least 11 hostages still in Abu Sayyaf hands
Aquino happy Germans released; Palace won’t confirm payment of ransom
Catapang honors wounded soldiers, brings karaoke set to troops in Zamboanga
