Abu Sayyaf bandit killed in Basilan clash —military

A suspected Abu Sayyaf member was killed during an encounter in Basilan on Thursday afternoon, the military said on Friday.

The Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) identified the killed bandit as Botak, who was a known follower of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Furuji Indama.

WestMinCom chief Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr. said government forces had a gun battle with Botak and his two companions in Barangay Felang, Ungkaya Pukan.

They were onboard a motorcycle when they were intercepted by soldiers from the 101st Infantry Brigade and the 18th Infantry Battalion, resulting in a five-minute firefight.

Aside from Botak's body, troops recovered one M60 machine gun and one motorcycle in the encounter site.

Operation is still ongoing to catch his comrades, the military said.

Recently, government forces clashed with Abu Sayyaf members in Indanan, Sulu resulting in the recovery of some war materials and pertinent documents of the local terror group.  —Ana Felicia Bajo/LBG, GMA News