Kin of Abu Sayyaf leader Hapilon, 3 other bandits killed in Basilan

Four members of the Abu Sayyaf group, including the relative of leader Isnilon Hapilon, were killed following a joint operation of the military and the police in Tapiantana, Basilan on Wednesday.

According to the Western Mindanao Command, government forces engaged in a half-hour firefight with 15 members of the terrorist group, led by Ustadz Mobin Kulin, known as "Mulawin," cousin of Hapilon.

Kulin was a notorious member of the Abu Sayyaf group and was said to be involved in the Lamitan siege in June 2001 and the Dos Palmas kidnapping in May 2001.

High-powered firearms and war materials including a Barret, a rocket-propelled grenade with three live ammunitions and 12 grenade rifles were seized from the bandits.

Meanwhile, the body of the killed Abu Sayyaf members will be turned over to the Basilan Provincial Police Office for appropriate identification and disposition, according to the Wesmincom.

Pursuit operations are also ongoing against the terrorist group.

"All out offensives are being conducted by the Joint Task Force Basilan with the support and coordination of the local government, police and civilians in the province against the Abu Sayyaf bandits who are responsible for the conduct of bombings, extortion activities and kidnappings in Basilan," Major General Carlito Galvez, commander of the Wesmincom, said. 

The military earlier claimed that Hapilon had been critically wounded after being hit by a cannon in Lanao del Sur. — Anna Felicia Bajo/MDM, GMA News