Notorious Abu Sayyaf leader Indang Susukan killed

KOTA KINABALU: A notorious Abu Sayyaf sub-commander Indang Susukan, who was behind at least six kidnappings in Sabah, was killed during a melee at a high security military camp in Zamboanga City.

Indang and two other cellmates Arnel Cabintoy and Feliciano Sulayao were killed at about 6.20am on Sunday (Oct 9), according to regional intelligence sources.

Sources said two officers on duty - Agustine Roger and Lorenz Matias - at the maximum security camp were stabbed by the three as they entered their cell to serve breakfast.

On seeing the commotion, an officer manning the tower fired at the three, killing them, the sources said.

Indang was among the key Abu Sayyaf leaders based in Jolo to send out Filipino gunmen to carry out kidnappings in Sabah's east coast.

Regional sources said he was responsible for kidnappings and kept the victims at his hideout in Jolo from where negotiations were done for their release.

Among the kidnap victims held by Indang was the Sandakan abduction at the Ocean King seafood restaurant where manager Thien Nyuk Fun and Sarawakian tourist Bernard Then were taken on May 14, 2015.

Thien was released after negotiation on Nov 8, the same year but the Abu Sayyaf group beheaded Then on Nov 17 after negotiations turned awry.

Another high profile victim held by him was China national Gai Huayun, who was grabbed from the Singgamata resort in Semporna on April 2, 2014, and was rescued on May 31, 2014.

Indang also held hostage operators of fish farms from Lahad Datu, Kunak and Semporna.

Indang, who lost an arm during a fire fight with the Philippines army two years ago, had surrendered himself under an amnesty by Manila in 2020 and had since been detained in Zamboanga City.