Terror group 'member' nabbed in Sarangani

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Police operatives arrested in an outskirt village in Maasim town Wednesday an alleged member of a terrorist cell operating in Sarangani Province.

Police Sr. Supt. Joseph Semillano, Sarangani police director, identified the suspect as Akbar Maguid Buyoc alias Abu Saipen, who was arrested in an operation at around 3:15 a.m. insidee his residence in Sitio Dampilan, Barangay Lumatil in Maasim.

Buyoc is tagged as directly involved in several bomb attacks in the area staged by terror group Ansar Al-Khilafah Philippines (AKP).

Operatives recovered during a search at the suspect's house a PRB 423 fragmentation grenade, Supt. Semillano said.

Semillano said Buyoc was arrested based on Arrest Order No. 2 issued last June 5 by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, in line with the declared martial law in the entire Mindanao.

It directed law enforcement authorities to "arrest, take into custody and conduct/continue the investigation" of the 185 persons "for violation of Article 134 (Rebellion) of the Revised Penal Code" and any crime related to it.

The listed subjects were alleged members/supporters/spies/couriers of the Maute group, Abu Sayyaf Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the Maguid Group (AKP). Number 83 in the list was named "Akbar Buyo," reportedly referring to the suspect.  

Citing intelligence reports, Semillano said Buyoc was a close ally of alleged AKP founder Mohammad Jaafar Sabewang Maguid alias “Tokboy,” who was killed in an encounter with police operatives in January at a beach resort in Kiamba, Sarangani.

He said the suspect handled the purchase of bomb-making materials for the AKP as tasked by Maguid.

AKP, which has pledged support to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, had been blamed over a string of terror attacks in Sarangani and neighboring areas these past years.

"We're continuously conducting intelligence monitoring for alleged regrouping activities of AKP remnants," Semillano said in a press conference. (PNA)