Recent clues back suspicion that Basilan Abu Sayyaf leader is dead, says military

ZAMBOANGA CITY –– Although no confirmation has yet emerged, military officials said some circumstances indicate the death of Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Furuji Indama could be true.

Colonel Domingo Gobway, commander of the Army’s Joint Task Force Basilan, revealed that the wife of Indama is now trying to sell her husband’s weapons.

“We don’t have any confirmation, but we knew that Indama’s wife was offering to sell his M60 machine gun because they are hard up with the money,” Gobway told the Inquirer.

He said the machine gun was offered for P800,000.

With this, there is a big possibility Indama is already dead, Gobway added.

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command, earlier said Indama was wounded in fierce fighting in Alicia town, Zamboanga Sibugay province last Sept. 9 where five gunmen, believed to be Abu Sayyaf fighters, were killed.

Citing information from military intelligence agents and the bandit leader’s relatives, Vinluan said Indama later died from gunshot wounds.

Major Gen. Leonel Nicolas, commander of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade, said Indama’s belongings like backpack, clothes, including the assembled improvised explosive device and R4 rifle, were recovered in the encounter site in Alicia.

Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman said Indama’s name was no longer prominent in talks among the province’s remaining circle of bandits.

Hataman also cited the absence of armed encounters between government troops and Indama’s followers in Basilan.

These are indications that he (Indama) is already dead, Hataman concludes.

Indama rose to become the chieftain of Abu bandits in Basilan after the death of Isnilon Hapilon in Marawi City on Oct. 16, 2017.

ZB