ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police killed seven Abu Sayyaf Group fighters in a shootout in Sulu on Sunday, Feb. 5.
Gunmen fired at lawmen serving a warrant of arrest against murder suspect Juko Dahim at the boundary of Barangay Labah, Maimbung and Kapuk Punggol, Parang, Sulu.
Police retaliated, triggering a 30-minute firefight in which Dahim was wounded and was taken to the hospital but died on the way.
Col. Richard Verceles, Western Mindanao Area Police Command operations chief, identified the six other fatalities as Jimming Akjal, Malik Eron, Aldimar Kanih, Gamil Halik, Norhan Pasi, and a son of alias ‘’Eron.’’
Dahim’s colleagues Julmin Amdan Asgali and Rogir Mukattir, alias ‘‘Rojimar Dahim,’’ were arrested while Algarner Dawadil Dahim remains at large.
Juko is a suspect in the ambush of Sulu police director Col. Julasirim A. Kasim on May 7, 2009 in Barangay Bato Ugis, Maimbung.
Juko is also allegedly involved in kidnapping, armed encounters with government troops, and the illegal drugs trade.
Suspects were identified as supporters of kidnap-for-ransom group leader Majan Sahidjuan alias ‘’Apoh Mike.’’