Abu Rami’s death likely to stifle Abu Sayyaf group

LAHAD DATU: The killing of the notorious Abu Rami Muamar Askali @Abu Rami will likely hinder whatever plans the Abu Sayyaf group might have been hatching in Sabah waters, according to Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).

Their kidnap-for-ransom operations could be temporarily halted, Esscom Commander Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said.

“We cannot be too happy because when one (Abu Sayyaf leader) is gone, another person will be ready to take over. We have to be careful on our side,” Abdul Bari said.

He added that a proper verification of the killing of Abu Rami was required and Esscom had yet to receive confirmation from the Philippines side.

“If Abu Rami has been killed, it will be definitely be good for our side,” he added.

Abu Rami was among 21 most wanted Abu Sayyaf gunmen involved in more than a dozen cross-border kidnappings since the Pom Pom resort attack in 2013.

So far, the five Muktadil brothers, as well as senior Abu Sayyaf leaders such as Idang Susukan Apo Mike @Majan Sahidjuan, Marajan Asiri, Alden Bagadi are among those killed or arrested.

Abu Rami and another notorious Abu Sayyaf leader Alhabsy Misaya, among the last few known gunmen involved in Sabah kidnappings, had been on the run since President Rodrigo Duterte ordered an all-out military offensive to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo and Basilan in southern Philippines.

Alhabsy is believed to be in hiding in one of the many islands in the Sulu Sea.

Malaysian intelligence officers are monitoring the latest military offensive and keeping Sabah’s borders under tight scrutiny.