Philippines: Troops killed militant blamed for beheadings
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine troops battling militants in a central province killed a key Abu Sayyaf commander who had been blamed for the beheadings of two Canadians and a German hostage and was apparently attempting another kidnapping mission, the military chief said Wednesday.
Military chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Ano told The Associated Press that troops have recovered and identified the remains of Moammar Askali, who used the nom de guerre Abu Rami, in the scene of the battle in a far-flung coastal village on Bohol island, where five other Abu Sayyaf gunmen were killed in the fighting Tuesday, along with four soldiers and policemen.
Ano said troops took the picture of Askali after his death and that captured Abu Sayyaf militants identified the young militant leader.
“This is a major blow to the Abu Sayyaf,” Ano told The AP. “If they have further plans to kidnap innocent people somewhere, they will now have to think twice.”