ZAMBOANGA CITY – An Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member, who was linked in the kidnapping of six Indonesian fishermen six years ago, was killed in a police operation in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay on Saturday.
In a report late Saturday, November 7, Police Regional Office for Zamboanga Peninsula (PRO-9) Director Brig. Gen. Jesus D Cambay Jr. identified the slain ASG kidnap-for-ransom group (KFRG) member as Salip Adzhar Alijam, who also went by the aliases Aya and Alip Adjal.
Cambay said Alijam, a resident of Barangay Masao ifn Tungawan town in Zamboanga Sibugay, was an ASG KFRG member based in Sulu under the late ASG sub-Leader Alhabsy Misaya.
He was involved in the kidnapping of six Indonesian fishermen on August 3, 2016, in the waters of Sabah, Malaysia, Cambay added.
Alijam was identified later by one of the Indonesian kidnap victim Herman Bin Manggak as one of their abductors in a coordination made by the police with the Indonesian Consul in Davao City.
Police operatives recovered from Alijam a hand grenade; a caliber .45 pistol with a loaded magazine, a Garand rifle, and two magazines loaded with 16 ammunitions of caliber .30mm.
During the operation, Alijam reportedly fired at policemen, who were serving a warrant of arrest on him, prompting the lawmen to return fire, resulting in his death.
“We commend the untiring efforts of our operating troops for a job well done. We call for unity and solidarity to fight against those who attempt to disturb the peace and tranquility of Zamboanga Peninsula,” Cambay said.