Unconfirmed reports that key Abu Sayyaf leader killed in Philippines

A key leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), believed to have been involved in the Jan. 27 twin bombings of a Roman Catholic Cathedral in the Philippines, was killed in a military offensive in southern Sulu island. (File/AFP)

• Susukan belonged to one of the main ASG factions on the Sulu islands, commanded by Hatib Hajjan Sawadjaan
• Authorities said Sawadjaan deployed the two alleged suicide bombers from Indonesia to carry out the attack on Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, which killed 23 people and wounded more than 100

MANILA: A key leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), believed to have been involved in the Jan. 27 twin bombings of a Roman Catholic Cathedral in the Philippines, was killed in a military offensive in southern Sulu island, authorities said on Thursday.
Maj. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) — Joint Task Force Sulu, said information had been received about Indang Susukan’s death.
However, the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), the police force that tracks the ASG, could not confirm the reports of Susukan’s death. “We’re still validating the information,” an AKG official told Arab News.
Susukan belonged to one of the main ASG factions on the Sulu islands, commanded by Hatib Hajjan Sawadjaan.
Authorities said Sawadjaan deployed the two alleged suicide bombers from Indonesia to carry out the attack on Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, which killed 23 people and wounded more than 100.
Following the bombings, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered government troops to crush the ASG and other militant groups on the island of Mindanao.
On Feb. 2, the military engaged approximately 100 ASG members in a fierce gunbattle in the jungles of Patikul town in Sulu.
Five soldiers and three ASG gunmen were killed, while 18 were wounded from the government side and 15 from the group, including Susukan. According to intelligence reports, he succumbed to his wounds on Feb. 4.
Pabayo said an announcement will be made when the information is confirmed, adding that Susukan was linked to high-profile kidnapping cases.
AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said Susukan was reported to have been seriously wounded during last week’s clash, and reports from various sources on the ground indicate that he eventually died due to the severity of his injuries.
“Notwithstanding these reports that tend to confirm each other, our troops in the area endeavor to locate his remains for us to conclusively report through a DNA test that he indeed is dead,” Arevalo said.
“His death, when conclusively established, deals a serious blow to the leadership of this terrorist group,” he added.
Susukan “is one of the ASG’s notorious sub-leaders who perpetrated many kidnappings, beheadings and other terrorist attacks, including the twin blast in Jolo Cathedral,” Arevalo said.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano said the cathedral bombing is considered solved with the surrender of the five main suspects.
“As far as the government is concerned, the Jolo bombing case is already solved ... As to the other conspirators, an intensive manhunt is now underway, and we will continue to pursue them until all those involved are brought to the bar of justice,” he added.
Ano said the bombers are an Indonesian couple, but identification is a work in progress that may take time.
“This is based on the post-blast and forensic investigation, statements from the survivors, and intelligence reports,” he added.