THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is still verifying the reported death of Abu Sayyaf sub-commander Indang Susukan, a military official said on Thursday, February 7.
AFP spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said there were reports that Susukan was seriously wounded during the fierce encounter between the terrorist group and the government troops.
"Progress reports from various sources on the ground indicate that Susukan eventually died due to the severe injuries he sustained in that firefight," he said.
"Notwithstanding these reports that tend to confirm each other, our troops in the area endeavor to locate his remains for us to conclusively report through DNA test that he indeed is dead," he added.
If the reports are true, Arevalo said Susukan's death would be serious blow to the leadership of the Abu Sayyaf Group.
Arevalo said Susukan is one of the ASG's notorious sub-commanders who perpetrated several kidnappings, beheadings and other terrorist attacks in the region, including the twin blast in Jolo Cathedral which killed 23 people. (VoxPop Philippines)