Islamic resistance group leader slain

manila - The Philippine military has slain the suspected leader of the Islamic resistance group Abu Sayyaf. Muammar Askali, also known as Abu Rami, was shot Wednesday.

The terrorist group was responsible for the beheading of the septuagenarian German hostage Jürgen Kantner in February.

Abu Sayyaf maintains dozens of hostages, including the Dutchman Ewold Horn who was kidnapped by the group in the southern Philippines in February 2012. Abu Sayyaf claims to be part of the Islamic State.