Abu Sayyaf officer linked to Roda murder slain in clash
By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 15:27:00 01/31/2008
Filed Under: Murder, The Southern Campaign, Acts of terror
MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) An Abu Sayyaf sub-commander allegedly involved in the murder of a Catholic priest to weeks ago was killed in an encounter with government troops Tawi-Tawi province on Thursday, the commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps said.
At around 5:30 a.m., troops from the 2nd Marine Battalion Landing Team encountered the group led by Wahab Upao in sitio (sub-village) Lubok-Lubok, Buwan-Buwan village, Panglima Sugala town, said Major General Ben Dolorfino.
Upao, who carries a P2.5-million reward for his capture, was killed in the hour-long firefight, Dolorfino told reporters.
"He is among those involved in the killing of Father Jesus Roda," the Marines chief said.
Earlier this month, Roda, a member of the congregation of Oblates of Mary Immaculate, was praying inside a chapel in Tabawan parish when about 10 men barged in at 8:30 p.m. and grabbed him. However, the priest struggled until they reached a basketball court in front of the chapel where one of the kidnappers pulled a pistol out and shot him in the head.
The kidnappers took with them a teacher of the Notre Dame school in Tabawan and have demanded a ransom for his release.
With a report from Thea Alberto
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