TROOPS killed on Saturday, April 18, a grandson of Abu Sayyaf Group leader Radullan Sahiron during a pursuit operation in Sulu.
A man identified as alias Vikram, a grandson of Sahiron, was one of two Abu Sayyaf members intercepted by the military in Barangay Bilaan, Talipao, Sulu at around 9:45 p.m. of April 18.
"Vikram is an IED (improvised explosive device) maker and involved during the Jolo Cathedral and 1st Brigade Combat Team bombings," said Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command chief, on Sunday, April 19.
Sobejana said Vikram was also involved in the April 17 encounter that killed 11 soldiers and wounded 14 others.
Vikram's remains were brought to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for proper disposition.
Sobejana said troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu, acting on information provided by a reliable source, conducted a pursuit operation on Saturday.
The two Abu Sayyaf members were onboard a motorcycle when they were intercepted in Talipao.
Sobejana said the two men fired at the soldiers upon seeing them. The soldiers retaliated and chase them.
During the chase, the troops recovered one body left at the roadside of Barangay Lambana.
The body was later identified to be that of alias Vikram.
Sobejana said no soldier was hurt in the said operation.
"Then again, this successful operation proves that the direct involvement of the communities would put pressure on the Abus and constrict their movements as well," he said. (VoxPop Philippines)