A SUSPECTED member of the Abu Sayyaf Group involved in the
killing of a Catholic priest and the abduction of a school principal Omar Taup
last Jan. 15 was killed in an encounter with government forces in Tawi-Tawi at
early Thursday.
Chief Supt. Joel R. Goltiao, Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao police director, identified the slain suspect as Wahab Upang. Upang is
believed to be one of those responsible for killing Fr. Reynaldo Roda and
abducting Omar Taup, an official of the Notre Dame School.
A report said joint government forces led by Marine Battalion
Landing Team 2 were on a combat patrol in Sitio Lubok-lubok, Barangay
Buwan-buwan, Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi when they chanced upon a group of armed
men at around 5:30 a.m.
A brief firefight ensued which led to the death of Upang. His
cohorts escaped.
Roda and Taup were abducted by armed men who barged inside
the Notre Dame School more than two weeks ago. Roda was shot dead when he
refused to go with the suspects.
Taup’s abductors are asking for P1 million for his release. – Raymond
Africa
