AN ABU Sayyaf explosive expert involved in the deadly church and military camp bombings was killed in a shootout with government troops in the province of Sulu, top military officials said Monday, April 20.
Major General Corleto Vinluan, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, identified the slain Abu Sayyaf explosive expert as Alias Abu Vikram, the grandson of Radullan Sahiron, the one-armed and the most senior leader of the Abu Sayyaf in the province of Sulu.
Vinluan said the troops launched pursuit operation following receipt of report to intercept two motorcycle-riding Abu Sayyaf bandits around 9:45 p.m. Saturday in Bilaan Village, Talipao, Sulu.
He said the shootout ensued when the two bandits opened fire, which prompted the troops to return fire.
Vinluan said the two managed to flee but the troops recovered the remains of Vikram in Lambanah Village, Talipao.
The military official said Vikram was involved in the January 27, 2019 twin bomb attacks of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in downtown Jolo, the capital of Sulu, that killed 20 people and injured 102 others.
He said Vikram was involved in the June 28, 2019 bomb attack of the tactical command post of the First Brigade Combat Team in the village of Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu that resulted to the death of three soldiers and three civilians as well as the bombers.
Vinluan added that Vikram was also involved in the clash Friday that resulted to the death of 11 soldiers and injured 13 others at Sitio Bud Lubong, Danag village, Patikul.
The cadaver of Vikram was brought to Camp General Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for proper disposition.
Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the neutralization of Vikram proves that the direct involvement of the communities would put up pressure on the Abu Sayyaf bandits and constrict their movements as well.
Sobejana said he looks forward that the communities will continue to feed them with reliable information "as we beef up our operations to run down terror groups and end discord and instability in our area of operation." (VoxPop Zamboanga)