The last members of the Abu Sayyaf Group foiled in a terrorist act in Bohol have been killed in an encounter with the AFP and PNP.
Calape, Bohol – As of 5:50 P.M. of 15 May 2017, the two remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) involved in a foiled terrorist attack in Bohol last April have been killed by government security forces.
Calape police confirmed [warning: graphic image at link] that Abu Ubayda was killed a little past 1:00 P.M.. In an early statement released to the media, the Philippine National Police (PNP) shared that troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and of the PNP engaged in a brief firefight with the last two members of the ASG in Barangay Kahayag in Calape, Bohol. The firefight began at around 12:30 P.M.
Military and police personnel responded to a report that the ASG members had taken a hostage and had stolen a motorcycle. According to Barangay Captain Victor Talatagud, the two ASG members were spotted last Wednesday night, and the authorities were immediately alerted their presence.
After a brief exchange of fire, one ASG member (later identified as Abu Ubayda) was killed while the other—wounded and armed with a pistol—fled the scene, escaping to a cemetery by motorcycle. Recovered from this first encounter was an M16 rifle.
Authorities continued with widespread manhunt operations until the last remaining member, Abu Asis, was killed [warning: graphic image at link].
Philippine Army 302nd Brigade Commander General Arnulfo Matanguihan announced to the media, of the deaths: “Ubos na po lahat.”
It will be recalled that the ASG had entered Bohol in April this year in the hopes of extending their terrorist activities.
