Abu Sayyaf bomb maker killed in Basilan shootout with cops

MANILA, Philippines — A notorious bomb maker of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was killed in a police operation in Mohammad Ajul, Basilan on Saturday, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar identified the slain bandit as Aroy Ittot, alias “Oroy,” an Abu Sayyaf bomb maker and a top priority target of the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR).

“During the service of Warrant of Arrest, the suspect fired upon the arresting team using his M-16 rifle which prompted the operating troops to return fire that eventually led in the neutralization of Oroy”, Eleazar said in a statement on Sunday.

Eleazar said that the warrant of arrest for murder against Ittot, issued by Presiding Judge Leo Jay Principe, Regional Trial Court, 9th Judicial Region, Branch 1, Isabela City, Basilan, was served on June 5, 2021, at around 2:30 a.m. in Barangay Languyan.

The suspect’s body was handed over to the barangay chairman and his immediate family for traditional Muslim burial rites.

Recovered pieces of evidence from the encounter site were several high-powered firearms, ammunition and suspected explosive components. 

The PNP linked Ittot to a roadside bombing attack in Tuburan, Basilan that targeted Mayor Durie Kalahal’s motorcade in 2018.

He was also charged with harassing Mayor Ibrahim Ballaho of Mohammad Ajul, Basilan, and his entourage while performing community service in Tuburan, Basilan.

Eleazar also tagged Ittot and ASG bombers to several other bombings and attacks in Basilan.

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