Google map of Naga town, Zamboanga Sibugay.
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur -- Government troops arrested an alleged Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandit involved in the series of kidnappings here in the region in previous years, officials said Thursday.
Lt. Col. Don Templonuevo, the Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion commander, identified the arrested suspect as Nasirin Balajadji, third highest-ranking ASG member.
Templonuevo said Balajadji was arrested Wednesday in a law enforcement operation through a warrant of arrest in Barangay Canacan, Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Templonuevo said Balajadji, who was arrested by a joint team of military and policemen, has a standing warrant of arrest for the crime of kidnapping with ransom with no recommended bail.
He said the suspect was involved in the kidnapping in June 2012 of Baker Atyani, a Jordanian journalist, who was freed 18 months later in Sulu.
Col. Jerry Protacio, Zamboanga Sibugay police director, said the suspect was also involved in the kidnapping of retired Italian priest Rolando Del Torchio in October 2015 and Rexon Romoc in August 2016.
The ASG bandits freed Del Torchio in April 2016 while Romoc in February 2017.
Col. Leonel Nicolas, the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, attributed the arrest of the suspect to the report of a peace-loving and concerned civilian “in our area of responsibility”.
Maj. Gen. Roberto Ancan, Army’s 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Province) commander, commended the efforts of the troops and the concerned civilian that led to the arrest of the suspect.
“The arrest of the top kidnapper is a significant accomplishment for the peace-loving constituents of our area of responsibility,” Ancan said. (PNA)
