4 suspected ASG members nabbed in Zambo City

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Police and military operatives arrested four suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in this southern port city, an official said Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Luis Licup, Police Regional Office-9 director, identified the arrested suspects as the following: Jainab Ibrahim, who carries the aliases of Aswajun Mutahhara and Almaida Marani Salvin; Khadeeja Tawasil Jainal, Abdurarafi Jalas Danial, and Fatma Musa Narimen.

Licup said the four suspects were arrested during enforcement of a search warrant for illegal possession of explosive around 6:15 a.m. Tuesday in Barangay Talabaan, this city.

Licup said the raiding team confiscated from the suspects two fragmentation grenade; a nine-volt battery with a switch; an eco bag containing white granules suspected to be ammonium nitrate; a timer with wire; several wires with alligator clip; concrete nails; two non-electric blasting caps with a safety cover; and, identification cards.

The suspects are followers of ASG sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and “are being utilized by the ASG for their financial transactions, procurement, and transportation of firearms and explosives, and the facilitation of recruitment and travel of foreign fighters to the Philippines,” Licup said. (PNA)