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Abu Sayyaf leader killed in Bohol clash

ABS-CBN News

<h3>Bohol Gov says residents being evacuated from clash site</h3><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/04/16/041617_abu.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">File Photo</div></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATED)</strong>- A sub-leader of terror group Abu Sayyaf was killed in a fresh firefight with troops in Barangay Bacani, Clarin town, Bohol on Saturday, the military confirmed.</p><p>Military Central Command chief Lieutenant General Oscar Lactao said Joselito Melloria was killed before he reached Inabanga town, where government forces had clashed with the bandit group last week. </p><p>An M203 grenade launcher and an M16 rifle were recovered with Melloria&#x27;s body.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/04/22/dead-02217.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">The remains of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Joselito Melloria. <strong>AFP handout photo</strong></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Melloria, alias Abu Alih, was said to have guided the Abu Sayyaf in Inabanga, Bohol for a known kidnap-for-ransom plot. Abducting foreign nationals and locals have been the group&#x27;s main source of funding. </p><p>Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, General Eduardo Año has said that Melloria is &quot;not an ordinary member&quot; of the Abu Sayyaf and that he was projected to become the next leader of Anzar Kilafa Philippines. </p><p>The Bohol clash was supposedly his test mission, Año said. </p><p>PO1 Reynon Añora of the Clarin Police Station and Lieutenant Colonel Luzmindo Mamaug, spokesperson of Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command, confirmed the ongoing encounter between troops and bandits.</p><p>Mamaug said the firefight started around 12:50 p.m. near the boundary of Barangay Bacani and Barangay Nahawan in Clarin.</p><p>Bohol Governor Edgar Chato said they have started evacuating residents from the area.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/04/22/gun-2017-042217.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Weapon seized <cite>Photos courtesy of AFP.</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>In clashes on April 11, Abu Sayyaf leader Muamar Askali, also known as Abu Rami, was killed. The government meanwhile lost three soldiers and one policeman. </p><p>The clashes prompted several countries to issue travel warnings over Central Visayas.</p><div><strong>--with a report from Angelica Fay Saniel and Chiara Zambrano, ABS-CBN News</strong></div>

<p>MANILA (UPDATED)- A sub-leader of terror group Abu Sayyaf was killed in a fresh firefight with troops in Barangay Bacani, Clarin town, Bohol on Saturday, the military confirmed.</p>

MANILA (UPDATED)- A sub-leader of terror group Abu Sayyaf was killed in a fresh firefight with troops in Barangay Bacani, Clarin town, Bohol on Saturday, the military confirmed.