Abu Sayyaf sub-leader moonlighting as drug dealer killed in Tawi-Tawi

Government troops killed Tuesday morning a sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf who was allegedly also involved in the illegal drug trade in Tawi-tawi.

Major General Carlito G. Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief, identified the suspect as Buchoy Hassan, a.k.a Black or Bocoi, 48.

Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi and the police conducted operation at Hassan's residence in Barangay Panglima Alari, Sitangkai.??

One M16 rifle, five speedboats, and several outboard motors were found and recovered in the residence of the Abu Sayyaf sub-leader.??

Hassan was one of the wanted personalities in Malaysia for his involvement in the abduction of Taiwanese national Chang An Wei, a.k.a Evelyn Chan, at the Pom Pom Island Resort in Sabah in November 2013.

Galvez said Hassan's possible involvement in the kidnapping activities cannot be discounted and are being looked into. ??

Hassan was reportedly dwelling in Barangay Panglima Alari, Sitangkai, where he used his share from ransom payment for his illegal drugs operations in the municipalities of Sibutu, Sipangkot and Bongao, all in Tawi-Tawi.??

He reportedly recruited cohorts and acquired several speedboats to sustain his illegal activities and became the key facilitator in the illegal drugs trade in Tawi-Tawi.??

“We are continuously conducting law enforcement support operations to assist the police and other law enforcement agencies in expediting the arrest of notorious members of the Kidnap for Ransom Group and in pre-empting kidnapping attempts in the province,” said Galvez.

He also urged local leaders and communities to continue reporting whereabouts of lawless elements especially Abu Sayyaf members to competent authorities.

"They should not allow these bandits to stay or roam around their respective areas so that their community can live in peace," he said. —Amita Legaspi/KBK, GMA News