Ex-Abu Sayyaf bandit allegedly involved in drugs killed in Tawi-Tawi

A former Abu Sayyaf member allegedly involved in illegal drugs was killed during an combined police-military operation on Thursday in Sapa, Tawi-Tawi, the military said Friday.

The Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) identified the suspect as Riyadzkan "Tamyang" Maulana. The operation was conducted by troops from the Marine Battalion Landing Team and Sapa-Sapa Municipal Police Station in Barangay Poblacion.

“Based on the report from the ground, Maulana was a former member of the ASG/KFRG (kidnap-for-ransom-group) under Salip Murah Asgali and Majan Sahijuan, also known as Apo Mike. He already surrendered to Sapa-Sapa MPS last February 20, 2019, but continued with his illegal drug trade,” WestMinCom chief Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr. said.

The suspect was also believed to be one of the coddlers of the local bandit group who transited on the island of Tawi-Tawi. He allegedly supported the perpetrators of a kidnapping incident on January 16, 2020 in Tambisan Island, Lahad Datu, Sabah.

According to the military, Maulana continued to be involved in illegal drug activities, indiscriminate firing, and intimidation of the barangay captain of Lakit Lakit, Sapa-Sapa.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Noel Calendatas, commander of the MBLT6, Maulana was monitored conducting illegal drug transactions on the morning of January 21.

The suspect drew his weapon when he had noticed the law enforcers, the military official said.

“In coordination with our police counterparts, we immediately conducted a drug buy-bust operation in the area. Sensing the troops, Maulana drew a hand grenade forcing the former to retaliate,” Calendatas said.

“The subject sustained one gunshot wound on his head and two on his chest which caused his instantaneous death,” he added.

Operatives were able to recover a hand grenade, one lighter, one motorized boat, seven heat-sealed plastic containing suspected shabu, six aluminum foils, one improvised tooter, and one P500 marked money from the suspect.

The military vowed to continue providing support to law enforcement operations in the area. --Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News