Abu Sayyaf bandit killed in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines — A member of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan province was killed on Saturday afternoon while allegedly resisting arrest.

Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, commander of the Army’s Joint Task Force Basilan, said police officers and soldiers were serving an arrest warrant to Aroy Ittot, also known as Oroy, at around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday in Barangay Languyan in Mohammad Ajul town.

Ittot allegedly fired his M16 rifle at the arresting team which, according to Gobway, prompted the troops to fire back.

Ittot was facing a murder case before Branch 1 of the Isabela City Regional Trial Court.

Ittot was said to be a trusted follower of Abu Sayyaf leader Furuji Indama and had been implicated by the military and police in a host of criminal and terrorist activities. He was also tagged by the military as a bomb maker.

Mohammad Ajul Mayor Ibrahim Ballaho said Ittot, to his knowledge, worked with lawless groups led by Usman Lidjal and Gion Arasad. The latter group attacked Ballaho a few months ago.

Ballaho said Ittot died from “a lone gun shot and there was no encounter in Languyan.”

Seized from Ittot were several high-powered firearms, ammunition, and bomb-making materials.

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