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.
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)
