Sayyaf sub-leader linked to kidnap of Germans killed
Published on: Monday, November 24, 2014
MANILA: An Abu Sayyaf sub-leader tagged in the abduction of two Germans recently was killed in Sulu Saturday afternoon.Sihata Muallom Asmad, also known as "Sihata Latip," "Ka Tatang" and "Tatang," resisted arrest and opened fire at military and police who tried to arrest him, said Joint Task Group Sulu Commander Col. Allan Arrojado.A soldier was also killed while another was wounded in the brief firefight that ensued at about 4:45pm in Barangay Duyan Kaha in Parang, Sulu, the military said. He (Asmad) was not the leader in the German kidnapping, it was Hatib Sawadjaan. His group guarded the Germans, Arrojado said in a text message sent to INQUIRER.net.
ADVERTISEMENT
Asmad, who reportedly had a P5.3-million bounty on his head, was wanted for a string of kidnappings, including that of 10 workers of the Golden Harvest Plantation in Lantawan, Basilan; and of sex members of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Patikul, Sulu, in 2001.He also reportedly participated in the abduction of 21 people from the Malaysian dive spot on Sipadan Island in Sabah in 2000.A reward was offered for his capture, said Chief Insp. Elizabeth Jasmin, spokesperson of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
ADVERTISEMENT
Germans Stefan Viktor Okonek and Henrike Dielen were abducted last April while on a yacht off Palawan. They were freed last Oct. 17. The Abu Sayyaf said a P250-million ransom was paid, but the military denied the claim.
