Radullan Sahiron

History

Sahiron was born in Kabbun Takas, Patikul third-class municipality, Jolo island, Sulu province, Republic of the Philippines. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, he is 5'6" with a slight build and weighs 140 pounds. He speaks Tausug and Arabic. He lost his right arm, described as "amputated above his elbow", fighting security forces in the 1970s.

Militant activity

Sahiron is wanted by the United States government who have put a bounty of $1,000,000 on his head through their Rewards for Justice Program. According the Rewards for Justice Program and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, he is wanted for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a United States Citizen. On November 14, 1993, the victim was abducted from his residence at Simbahan, Pangutaran, Sulu, Philippines, by approximately 14 armed members of the terrorist organization Al Harakat al Islamiyyah, also known as the Abu Sayyaf Group. The victim was transported to the terrorist's jungle camp on the Southern Philippine island of Jolo. He was held captive for 23 days until his release on December 7, 1993. Sahiron was indicted in the United States District Court, District of Columbia, on February 27, 2007, and was charged with hostage taking and aiding and abetting and causing an act to be done. An arrest warrant was issued on the same date.

Furthermore, it is claimed Sahiron played a role in the May 2001 Dos Palmas kidnappings of three U.S. citizens, including Martin and Gracia Burnham, and 17 Filipinos from a tourist resort in Palawan, Philippines. Several of the hostages, including U.S. citizen Guillermo Sobero, were murdered.

According to regional military spokesman Maj. Filemon Tan, Radullan Sahiron led 130 Abu Sayyaf fighters in the jungles of mountainous Patikul town in Sulu province in a battle against the Philippine Armed Forces on July 7, 2016. One government soldier was killed and six wounded while the army claimed 9 militants were killed and 13 were injured.