MANILA, Philippines?A suspected leader of the Abu Sayyaf terror group was killed while another managed to escape during an encounter with government forces in Sulu Friday night, the military said yesterday.

Reports reaching Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo said Faidar Hadjadi, also known as Abu Solomon, was killed while resisting arrest at a military checkpoint in Indanan town.

Hadjadi, believed to be a leader of the Abu Sayyaf?s Urban Terrorist Group, had an arrest warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention for his alleged role in the 2001 Dos Palmas resort kidnappings.

He had a P300,000 bounty on his head, the AFP said.

Col. Eugenio Clemen, Philippine Navy 3rd Marine Brigade commander, said Hadjadi and another suspected Abu Sayyaf member Jaiton Torsita Abubakar were on a motorcycle when they were stopped at a checkpoint.

?Solomon (Hadjadi) resisted arrest by engaging the troops. He was killed during the exchange of fire, while his wounded companion escaped,? said Clemen said in a statement.

The incident happened at 7:45 p.m., some three hours before suspected Abu Sayyaf members released humanitarian aid worker Merlie ?Milet? Mendoza whom they had been holding hostage for two months. Tarra Quismundo