Mastermind in missionary's murder slain in encounter - report

Police on Thursday claimed they have killed the suspected mastermind in the abduction and killing of missionary Jesus Reynaldo Roda during an encounter in Tawi-Tawi province. This was according to a report by dzBB radio quoting Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police director Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao. Killed in the encounter was identified as Wahab Upang, allegedly a member of the notorious Abu Sayyaf terrorist group. The encounter occurred 5 a.m. Thursday when elements from the Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) 2 chanced upon a number of suspected Abu Sayyaf members led by one Asman Wajan in Buan village in Panglima Sugala town. Panglima Sugala is the capital town of Tawi-Tawi province, with a population of 33,315 people in 5,406 households. Wajan was injured in the firefight, the report said. Roda, a member of the Oblate of Mary Immaculate, was killed Jan. 15 after he fought his abductors who were dragging him to a motorboat in South Ubian town. The authorities had placed a P2.5-million reward for his killers. - GMANews.TV