Mastermind in February Massacre in Basilan Killed in Clash with Marines

BY: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Monday, 22 March 2010

The mastermind of the gruesome attack in Maluso, Basilan that left 11 persons dead and 10 others wounded last 27 February 2010 has been reportedly killed in a clash with the Marines in Sumisip town the other day.

ASG sub-leader Abugao Abayali was confirmed dead after desperately leading an early morning raid in a Marine detachment in Sumisip, Basilan. Bayali is the one responsible in the kidnapping of Leah Patris on 03 February 2009; the ambush of P/INSP REYMAN JANNATUL and six PNP members on 09 August 2009; and ambuscade/laying of improvised explosive device (IEDs) while elements of the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion are on a logistics run killing 2 soldiers.

Last Saturday around 4:50 in the morning, the group of Bayali harassed/attacked elements of CAA/CVO personnel along with two (2) intelligence personnel while occupying blocking positions at vicinity Sitio Tilling, Barangay Guiong, Sumisip, Basilan. The engaged troops immediately requested for fire support from the Marine Battalion Landing Team-7 and six (6) rounds of 81mm mortar were delivered within the assaulting enemy position. At 5:30 a.m., an elite platoon from MBLT-7 and 61st Force Recon Company rushed to reinforce the besieged troops. The reinforcement was itself attacked with heavy volume of fire.

After two hours of firefight, the enemy withdrew dragging with them an undetermined number of casualties. Two CAAs were killed in action while another CAA and a Marine were wounded. An enemy was also killed during the encounter. One of those wounded, identified as Abugao Abayali later died.

The Navy’s Fleet-Marine Team sustains its determined efforts to flush out the ASG and other lawless groups operating in southern Philippines. The success of its operations against these groups will usher in peace and development in the region.