An Abu Sayyaf sympathizer was killed during a gunfight with government troops who tried to arrest him for possession of a deadly explosive in Barangay Limbocandis, Sumisip, Basilan at dawn Monday, January 17.
A Western Mindanao Command report said personnel from the 64th Infantry Battalion and the Basilan Provincial Office were trying to arrest suspect Ajie Gomez for possession of an Anti-Personnel Mine (APM) when the latter tried to shoot troops with his M16 rifle.
The troops retaliated, neutralizing Gomez.
Government forces recovered an M16A1 rifle with two magazines of ammunition, a .38 cal. revolver with ammunition, the anti-personnel mine and explosive components.
Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Joint Task Force Basilan Commander, identified Gomez as a sympathizer of Abu Sayyaf sub leader Pasil Bayali aka Kera whose group is involved in a series of bomb threats and extortion in Basilan Province.
On Saturday last week, Basilan troops foiled a bomb plot against a candidate for mayor in Lamitan municipality, Basilan.
“The Joint Task Force Basilan continues to heighten its security operations in areas infested by the terror group and other lawless elements to ensure the safety and security of the Basileños,” said Gobway.