Philippine Marines killed a senior member of Abu Saif, the country’s ISIS branch, and rescued four Indonesian hostages held by them since last year, the British Guardian reported today (Sunday).
According to Lieutenant Colonel Corletto Vinlan Jr., Majhan Sahadjuan, known as “Apo Mike”, was seriously injured during an exchange of gunfire in a village in Tawi-Tawi district last night, and later died of his wounds. He described Sahidjuan as the “brain” behind abductions carried out by Abu Saif, who since 2014 has declared allegiance to the Islamic State group.
“We are glad that all the hostages are safe now, and that we have neutralized the infamous ‘Apo Mike’ and two of his friends,” said Vinoloan, a senior commander in the western wing of the Philippine Army.
Sahidjuan was among five members of the Abu Saif organization, who sailed last Thursday to Tawi-Tawi province with the four Indonesian hostages. Their boat capsized during the voyage due to the stormy waves, giving the soldiers the opportunity to rescue three of the four hostages – Arizel Casta Miran (30), Arsad Ben Dahlan (41), and Andy Risvento (26). Mohad Khiroldin, 15, was found by security forces in the same village where the fighting took place.
The four hostages were among five Indonesians abducted by Abu Sayyaf on January 17 last year outside Tambisen in Malaysia. One in five was killed while trying to escape.