Abu killed in shootout; kidnapping plot foiled

An Abu Sayyaf group member was killed in a shootout with police in Sulu on Saturday. Gen. Debold Sinas, chief of the Philippine National Police, claimed that the slain Abu Sayyaf, Wahid Sahid, had been surveilling prominent families in Zamboanga City possibly for kidnapping. Sahid, a member of the subgroup under Almujir Yadah, allegedly smuggled high-powered guns and armed the bandits in Sulu province and Zamboanga City. On Saturday morning, an undercover agent who posed as buyer went to Sahid’s house in Sitio Buton, Barangay Kansipat in Panamao town, Sulu. After Sahid’s illegal sale of firearms was confirmed, the arresting team rushed to Sahid’s house but was met with gunfire. Police fired back and killed Sahid. Several firearms were seized from the house. —Jeannette I. Andrade