Abu Sayyaf leader killed

KOTA KINABALU: A notorious Abu Sayyaf sub-commander Indang Susukan, who was behind at least six kidnappings in Sabah, was killed during a scuffle at a high-security Philippine National Police Custodial Centre in Quezon City, say regional intelligence sources.

Indang and two other cellmates Arnel Cabintoy and Feliciano Sulayao were killed when they stabbed a man who had entered their cell to serve breakfast at 6.20am yesterday.Indang had surrendered himself under an amnesty by Manila in 2020 and has since been detained there.

Sources said two personnel – Agustine Roger and Lorenz Matias – at the centre were stabbed by the three men as they entered their cell to serve breakfast.

On seeing the commotion, a personnel manning the tower, fired at the three men, killing them, the sources said.

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

Regional sources said the kidnapped victims were usually kept in a hideout where negotiations were carried out for their release.

Among the victims held by Indang were Ocean King seafood restaurant manager Thien Nyuk Fun and Sarawakian tourist Bernard Then who were taken as hostages on May 14, 2015.

After negotiations, Thien was released on Nov 8 the same year but the Abu Sayyaf group beheaded Then on Nov 17 after talks to secure his release failed.

Another high-profile victim held was China national Gai Huayun, who was grabbed from the Singamata Resort in Semporna on April 2, 2014, before he was rescued on May 31, 2014.

Indang also held operators of fish farms from Lahad Datu, Kunak and Semporna. Two years ago, he lost an arm during a fire fight with the Philippine army.