A sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group, who served as guide during the ASG’s first incursion into Bohol last April 11, was killed during a firefight with government security forces in the hinterlands of Clarin, Bohol on Saturday.
Joselito Melloria, the alleged local contact of the ASG bandits who landed on Inabanga town, was identified by Bohol Provincial Police office Chief Supt. Felipe Natividad.
The firefight was ongoing at press time and started around 12 noon in Sitio Lagising, Barangay Bacane, Clarin town, police and military officials said.
Melloria, also a member of the IS-linked terror group Ansar Khalifa Philippines who had converted to Islam, joined the ASG in infiltrating Inabanga, Bohol, police and military officials said.
Police were also probing the possible ties between the ASG and an elderly couple, Constancio and Crisanta Petalco, who were killed during the Clarin firefight.
Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla confirmed the death of Melloria.
However, Padilla said “We could not yet provide other details of Melloria’s killing as the gunbattle is still raging with six other ASG members who are on the run.”
Padilla said the troops recovered the M16 (folding stock) rifle of Melloria.
The April 11 Inabanga fireight also known as the botched Bohol raid resulted in the death of five ASG members, three soldiers and a policeman.
Among those killed in the April 11 encounter was Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Maumar Askali, alias Abu Rami, Chief Supt. Noli Talino, Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 director, said.
Abu Rami, the military claimed was behind the beheading of two Canadian nationals—John Ridsdel and Robert Hall last year and German hostage Jurgen Kantner in Febuary this year.
Three soldiers and a cop were also killed during the bloody encounter that triggered security alarm for visiting foreign dignitaries attending the forthcoming Asean Summit in the country next week.
Foreign government, including the United States and Canada,had issued travel warning on their citizens to avoid visiting Bohol and other areas in Central Visayas following the gunbattle.
Padilla said the distribution of ASG photos among the residents of Inabanga and nearby towns could have facilitated the quick tracking down of the movement of the fleeing ASG members.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte offered P1 million for the capture dead or alive of each ASG terrorists.
The military, meanwhile, said there was no failure of intelligence about the ASG incursion into Bohol.
“We knew where they [ASG] were. We knew they were coming,” Padilla said.
ASG, who keeps 20 foreigners and seven locals as hostages, are also believed to be targetting Cebu and Siquijor Island, both tourism spots, intelligence sources said. With PNA