MANILA, Philippines — A top leader of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was killed in an encounter with government forces on Friday in Basilan, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported Saturday.
In a statement, the AFP said government troops were conducting security operations in Barangay (village) Baiwas in Sumisip town when they clashed with the ASG terrorists.
Killed in the 15-minute encounter was Radzmil Jannatul, a top-ranking ASG sub-leader in Basilan. There were no casualties reported on the government side, the AFP said.
The military said Jannatul was the successor of ASG senior leader Furuji Indama who was killed in September 2020.
The AFP said it is still looking for the two other remaining ASG sub-leaders in Basilan.