Abu Sayyaf member killed by police in Jolo, Sulu

Jolo (Image from Google Maps)

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Special Action Force killed a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Jolo, Sulu, Wednesday.

Police said they launched a manhunt against Alex Habbibondin, alias Amah Alex, by virtue of a warrant of arrest for murder issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 3 in Jolo dated February 7, 2012.

According to the police, they were able to track Habbibondin in Sitio Barrio Militar, but the operation at about 4:30 a.m. led to an encounter between them, killing Habbibondin on the spot.

Police also recovered a caliber .357 magnum from the suspect, according to CIDG.

Habbibondin was involved in an encounter between the Abu Sayyaf and the Philippine Army in Patikul, Sulu, on February 2, police said. /cbb