Exclusive - An Abu Sayyaf Leader and 3 members Were Killed During Their Night Shootout With AFP at Bohol Last Saturday.

According to a report by ABS-CBN News, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has confirmed that Joselito Melloria, an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader, along with three other members of the Abu Sayyaf group were killed in Clarin town, Bohol on the evening of April 22.

The identities of the three other ASG members remain unknown.

According to the reports, it was around 9 P.M. that soldiers of the 2nd Light Reaction Company discovered the group in Barangay Catuyok.

A gunfight commenced where the army emerged victorious with no reported causalities.

They also managed to recover weapons which belonged to the ASG on the same evening.

Troops discovered Joselito Melloria earlier in the afternoon at Barangay Bacani in Clarin where he was shot and killed.

The spokesperson of the 302nd brigade, Captain Jojo Mascariñas, revealed that the three ASG members had managed to escape the shootout only to be discovered later on – dead on a hill located at Barangay Caboy.

In a separate statement by Bohol Governor Edgar Chato, his office claims to have received information from the authorities that the three Abu Sayyaf members were weak due to their injuries and hunger. 

A local resident of Inabanga, Bohol named Melloria AKA Abu Alih, who served as a guide to the bandits, was also killed at a cave-turned-ASG hideout near Barangay Ilihan Clarin. 

The group’s modus operandi has been the kidnap-for-ransom plot - abducting foreign nationals and locals for money.

Officials have advised residents to remain vigilant while the military pursues the Abu Sayyaf across Bohol.

The ASG member’s remains were delivered to Clarin Funeral Homes for inspection.

Share your thoughts over this situation in the comments section! Remember to share this story on Facebook!

Source:  ABSCBN