[Mindanao Examiner] An Abu Sayyaf leader believed behind the kidnappings of 2 Canadians and a Norwegian man in the southern Philippines was among those killed by Malaysian authorities in a sea battle off Sabah's Semporna district. Military spokesman Filemon Tan have identified the dead militant leader as Abraham Hamid, who led about a dozen gunmen in the kidnappings on Samal Island in Davao del Norte province in September last year.Hamid was killed on December 8 along with two others after they attacked several trawlers off Semporna. Two other Abu Sayyaf gunmen captured by Malaysian forces have been identified as Samsung Aljan and Awal Hajal.
Malaysian authorities rescued an abducted skipper of a trawler, but said two Abu Sayyaf militants escaped and brought with them a fishing boat captain they seized in Semporna. Tan said, "Per validation made by this Command, the shootout resulted in the killing of Abraham Hamid, leader of the Samal kidnapping incident and two of his cohorts. Two Abu Sayyaf members Samsung Aljan and Awal Hajal were also apprehended."
"The death of Hamid is a big blow to the Abu Sayyaf group. It will degrade their capability for spotting and kidnapping victims in the future," Tan added.
Malaysian media said the fighting injured a policeman. At least seven gunmen on speedboat entered Sabah from Tawi-Tawi and seized the two skippers. Unknown to the gunmen, a boat operated by General Operations Force Tiger Platoon was in the area and engaged the raiders in a sea battle.