Abu Sabaya, the notorious leader of a Muslim guerrilla gang that terrorised the southern Philippines with a string of kidnappings, was presumed dead after a firefight at sea with US-trained forces.
The 39-year-old headed a faction of the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group that abducted more than 100 people over the last year. Some escaped, some were freed and 18 died, including a California man who was beheaded and a Kansas missionary who was fatally shot in a rescue attempt.
Military officials said local special forces with surveillance and communications help from American troops tracked down Abu Sabaya and six of his men as they appeared to be fleeing Mindanao island in a boat before dawn.
The troops reported they came under fire and shot back. Southern military commander Maj. Gen. Ernesto Carolina said one soldier reported shooting an already-wounded Abu Sabaya in the back as the guerrilla leader tried to swim away, and that the soldier saw his body sinking.
US Navy personnel were searching for the bodies, particularly that of Abu Sabaya.