ZAMBOANGA (Philippines) June 21: A senior leader of Abu Sayyaf rebels who kidnapped three Americans, was killed on Friday during a high seas shootout, the Philippines military said.

Abu Sabaya, spokesman of the notorious Abu Sayyaf kidnapping group, was slain along with two of his men in a clash with an elite Navy Special Warfare Group (SWAG) unit before dawn, military officials said.

Four other gunmen were arrested after the navy sank their boat off the coastal town of Sibuco on Mindanao island, the military added.

Officials, however, backtracked on earlier statements that they had already recovered Sabaya’s body from the sea after the vessel sank during the gunbattle.

But regional military chief Major General Ernesto Carolina said that one of the SWAG members confirmed that he shot Sabaya dead from a few meters away after Sabaya fell into the water during the clash.

President Gloria Arroyo said Carolina had informed her of Sabaya’s death and hailed the military “for their continuing determination and tenacity to finish off the Abu Sayyaf.”

Arroyo said the news of Sabaya’s death was relayed to US President George W. Bush and stressed that he was pleased at the progress being made in the fight against the Abu Sayyaf.

She added that the operation to finish off the kidnap-for-ransom group would continue, adding, the Philippine’s campaign against terror was not yet over.—AFP