The Philippine military has confirmed that it has killed Alhabsy Misaya, a senior commander of Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf, who has been responsible for ordering kidnappings, executions, bombings and much of the maritime crime in the country.
The army's Chief of Staff, Eduardo Ano, confirmed that the pirate leader was killed in a clash with marines late on Friday (April 28, 2017) at a Abu Sayyaf stronghold in the jungle between the towns of Indanan and Parang in Sulu province.
One of the biggest kidnapping incidents that Misaya was involved in was that of the three International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) workers in January 2009.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered security forces to sustain the offensive against Abu Sayyaf and to eliminate the group by June this year.
Forces have also killed two other leaders, Muamar Askali and Joselito Melloria, in April.
The group’s leader, Radullon Sahiron, is now the only chief commander left.
