ZAMBOANGA CITY – An Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member, who was a known follower of the late bandit group sub-leader Furuji Indama, was killed in a brief encounter with government forces in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan Province.
Armed Force of the Philippines- Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) Commander Lt Gen Corleto Vinluan, Jr. identified the slain ASG as Botak, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan Province.
Vinluan said Botak was killed during a five-minute firefight that broke out at around 4 p.m., Thursday, October 29, in Barangay Felang, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan Province. He was with two other ASG fighters when they encountered the military forces.
Botak was a known follower of Indama, who was also killed in an encounter with troops of the 44th Infantry Battalion (44th IB) last month.
“Botak was onboard a motorcycle along with two of his comrades, when they were intercepted by the operating troops of the 101st Infantry Brigade and the 18th IB and the firefight, ensued,” Vinluan said.
According to Joint Task Force (JTF) Basilan Commander Col. Domingo Gobway, the soldiers recovered the dead body of Botak, an M60 machine gun, and a motorcycle at the clash site.
"Our operating troops continue to scour the area to arrest the companions of Botak," Gobway said.