The Malaysian police. (Photo: EPA/VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – A leader of the Philippine Islamic militant group AbuSayyaf - Abraham Hamid - was killed by Malaysian security forces during a gunfight offshore Sabah state, Borneo island of Malaysia, on December 10.
Regionalspokesman of the Philippine military, Major Filemon Tan said the death of Hamidis a strong blow to Abu Sayyaf.
Abraham Hamidwas responsible for the kidnapping of foreigners at a resort in southernPhilippines in 2015. Two of the victims were executed.
Major FilemonTan said that the criminal also participated in the abduction of fourIndonesian sailors in April.
He addedthat the police also killed two gunmen and arrested two other suspects in anotherfire exchange in LahadDatu, east of Sabah state.
TheMuslim Abu Sayyaf group was established in the1990s, with about 400 gunmenactive in the south region of the Philippines. The group is infamous forabduction for ransom, bombings and hostage executions. The group is holding 22captives at the moment, mainly foreigners.
AbuSayyaf has become a major concern of the Philippines’ neighbouring countries ofMalaysia and Indonesia, as the group’s hostage list includes sailors of thosecountries.
AlthoughAbu Sayyaf’s leaders pledged loyalty to the self-claimed Islamic State inrecent years, experts said that the group only focuses on kidnapping formoney.-VNA
