BOMB EXPERT. Joint police and military operatives arrest Kalmi Mustala, 42, an explosive expert-member of the Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf Group in an operation Tuesday (Nov. 23, 2021) in Barangay Maasin, Zamboanga City. Mustala was detained at the local police headquarters and will be turned over to the police in Jolo, Sulu. (Photo lifted from the FB page of the 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Joint police and military operatives have arrested an Abu Sayyaf explosive expert in a law enforcement operation in this southern port city, a top police official announced here Tuesday.
Col. Rexmel Reyes, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director, identified the arrested Abu Sayyaf as Kalmi Mustala, 42, a Sulu-based member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
Reyes said that Mustala, who is presently residing in Barangay Recodo here, was arrested around 9 a.m. Tuesday in Sitio Caragasan, Barangay Maasin, west of this city.
Reyes said that Mustala has standing warrants of arrest for illegal possession of explosives, double frustrated murder, and double attempted murder issued on June 19, 2021 by the court of Sulu with no bail recommended.
He said Mustala was temporarily detained at the ZCPO headquarters for his eventual turnover to the police station of Jolo, the capital town of Sulu.
He said an investigation is also being conducted to determine the extent of Mustala’s involvement in atrocities committed by the ASG in Sulu being an explosive expert.
Meanwhile, Reyes lauded the joint police and military operatives involved in the arrest of Mustala for a job well-done. (PNA)
