Philippines: Abu Sayyaf sub-leader wounded in clash

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

Government forces claim to have seriously wounded a sub-leader of the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group in a clash in the troubled island province of Sulu.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said troops had launched an assault on an Abu Sayyaf lair around 11:20 a.m. (GMT0320) Saturday in the village of Liang in Patikul town.

In the resulting clash, a group sub leader -- identified as Ben Saudi -- is believed to have been wounded.

He said all units have been ordered to check if any Abu Sayyaf casualties had been taken to nearby hospitals.

Arrojado said Saudi is the brother of another Abu Sayyaf sub-leader, Aljine Jaelan Mundok -- alias “Ninok Saparri” -- who is believed to be behind the kidnapping of a German couple in April 2014.

Saudi is reported to have three warrants out for his arrest for his involvement in the kidnapping of Stefan Okonek and Henrike Dielen, who were freed following a reported ransom of P250 million ($5.3 million) in Oct. 2014.

Saudi is also believed to be behind the abduction of local Chinese businesswoman Dina Lim Iraham and her daughter Yahong Lim Tan Chien in Basilan last year, according to Arrojado.

The mother was freed but the group has kept the daughter captive.

Earlier this week, the Abu Sayyaf released a video in which they asked for P1 billion each for hostages Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Filipina Marites Flor and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad.

The group is also believed to be holding other foreign hostages, including a Dutch bird watcher who was kidnapped more than three years ago in nearby Tawi Tawi province, two Malaysians and a Japanese.

It is also suspected of kidnapping a former Italian priest turned businessman last month.

Since 1991, the Abu Sayyaf -- armed with mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles -- has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortions in a self-determined fight for an independent Islamic province in the Philippines.

It is notorious for beheading victims after ransoms have failed to be paid for their release.

The group has been designated a "terrorist" organization by the Philippines, United Nations, Australia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.