ASG leader killed in Sabah clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY: An Abu Sayyaf leader tagged as behind the kidnappings of two Canadians and a Norwegian in Samal Island was among those killed by Malaysian authorities in a sea battle off Sabah’s Semporna district.

Army Major Filemon Tan, military spokesman, identified the slain leader as Abraham Hamid, who led about a dozen gunmen in the kidnappings of Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel and her Filipina girlfriend Maritess Flor, and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad on Samal Island in Davao del Norte province in September last year.