By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

While attending the STI-West Negros University (STI-WNU) graduation at the SMX Convention Center in SM City Bacolod over the weekend, 3rd Infantry Division commander, Major General Jon Aying, confirmed the death of Joselito Melloria, an Abu Sayyaf official.
According to Aying, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is currently monitoring the situation in Bohol, where an Abu Sayyaf attack was recently foiled. Of the reported seven terrorists in Bohol, Melloria is the only confirmed casualty.
Based on a report released by Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) Director, Police Senior Superintendent Felipe Natividad, Melloria earlier clashed with police and military operatives in Barangay Bacani in Clarin.
He added Melloria yielded an M203 grenade launcher and an M16 rifle.
Meanwhile, when asked if Abu Sayyaf is in connivance with the New People’s Army (NPA), Aying called it “hearsay,” but noted Melloria was an NPA member before converting to Islam./WDJ