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Abu Sayyaf leader in ICRC abduction killed in Sulu clash


Albader Parad, the Abu Sayyaf leader involved in the kidnapping of three Red Cross volunteers last year, was killed in an encounter with government troops in the southern Philippine province of Sulu on Sunday, a military official said. Five other Abu Sayyaf members were also killed in the clash, which took place in Maimbung town, according to Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, commander of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command.

Abu Sayyaf leader Albader Parad had been involved in several high-profile kidnappings in the past. He and five others were killed in an encounter in Sulu on Sunday, the military said. GMANews.TV file photo
"We have confirmed that one of the six bodies belong to Albader Parad as confirmed by four independent civilian sources," said Dolorfino, adding that the bodies of Parad and the others had been brought to Camp Bautista, a Marine headquarters in Sulu. Also killed in the clash were Abdulhan Jumdail, brother of Abu Sayyaf leader Dr. Abu Pula alias Dr. Abu; Simal Abtong; Omar Umbah; Hamilton Sadjael; and Udin Sirael. Dolorfino said the 30-man marine platoon was backed by other troops deployed to block the escape of the militants from their encampment on Jolo, where the militants have operated for years despite a U.S.-backed military campaign against them. The Abu Sayyaf, which has about 400 fighters, has been blamed for numerous bombings, beheadings and kidnappings of Filipinos and foreigners, including Americans. It is believed to have received funds from al-Qaeda and is on a U.S. list of terrorist organizations.

Big blow Dolorfino said the death of Parad is a “big blow" to the ragtag terrorist group and a big accomplishment in the government’s campaign against terrorism. "This is a very significant gain in our campaign against terrorism. Albader is the most influential Abu Sayyaf leader. [His death] is a big blow to them," he said. Parad was among the Abu Sayyaf personalities wanted by the US government, which had offered a bounty for his head. The Philippine government has also raised a P7-million reward for his capture. On January 15 last year, Abu Sayyaf members under the leadership of Parad abducted Andreas Notter, a 38-year-old Swiss national; Eugenio Vagni, a 62-year-old Italian; and Mary Jean Lacaba, a Filipina — all working for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) — near the provincial capitol in Jolo, Sulu. The three were released separately within the year. [See timeline of ICRC kidnapping here.] Parad also led the kidnapping of a television crew led by ABS-CBN reporter Ces Drilon on June 10, 2008. The team was released within the month. [See timeline of Ces Drilon kidnapping here.] Parad was also among the Abu Sayyaf bandits that seized 21 people, including Asian and European tourists in April 2000, from Sipadan Island Diving Resort in Sandakan, Sabah. [See Albader Parad's criminal background here.] — with AP reports/KBK/NPA, GMANews.TV
Tags: abusayyaf
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