By
Ely Dumaboc
ZAMBOANGA
CITY -- Police have neutralized an alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf’s Urban
Terrorist Group (UTG) in a shootout in this southern port city, an official
announced Tuesday.
Chief
Insp. Elmer Solon, Police Station 11 chief, identified the slain UTG member as
Mohamar Lungbos Hasilon alias Weng-Weng, 21.
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A member of
the police' explosive ordnance demolition (EOD) team examines the bomb-making
materials recovered from Mohamar Hasilun, an alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf'
Urban terrorist Group, who was killed in a shootout late Monday in Barangay
Sto. Niño, Zamboanga City. (Photo courtesy: Remus L. Ong)
Hasilon
was killed in a shootout during an intelligence-driven law enforcement
operation around 9:21 p.m. Monday in Barangay Sto. Niño.
Solon
said investigation showed that a shootout ensued when Hasilon, while walking
along the side of the road, pulled a .45-caliber pistol and opened fire upon
sensing the approaching police team from the 904th Mobile Company of the
Regional Mobile Force Battalion-9.
He
said the suspect fled to an abandoned building and was pursued by the policemen
where he sustained multiple gunshot wounds as another shootout ensued.
Hasilon
was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Recovered
from the scene of the shootout were .45-caliber pistol and a handbag containing
bomb-making materials such as one-liter bottle filed with Ammonium Nitrate Fuel
Oil, detonating cord, electric time fuse, a cellular phone and an M-26 grenade.
Investigation
further showed that Hasilon is known to be an active member of UTG under the
leadership of Marzan Ajijul, who operates in the east coast of this city, Solon
disclosed.
Solon
said the slain suspect is also a member of the “City Hunter”, a gun-for-hire
(contract killers) group, operating in Isabela City, Basilan and in this city.
The
shootout ensued two days after alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group
detonated two improvised bombs that killed at least 20 people and injured 112
others at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Barangay Walled City, Jolo,
Sulu.
Meanwhile,
the Philippine National Police has yet to determine whether the incident is
linked to Sunday's attack.
"This
incident is now under investigation. It is still too early to say that the
recovered items are connected to Jolo bombing incident considering the
distance. Suspects were able to escape though. Updates to follow," PNP
spokesperson Senior Supt. Bernard Banac said in a message to reporters. (With
report from Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
