ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities arrested an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandit in a law enforcement operation in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, police reported Thursday.
Capt. Kuhutan Imlani Jr., acting Bongao police chief, identified the arrested ASG bandit as Abu Al, 26, who is listed as one of the most wanted persons in the municipality.
Abu Al was arrested around 9 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Poblacion, Bongao, the capital town of Tawi-Tawi.
Imlani said the suspect has a standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping with ransom issued by a Tawi-Tawi court in 2019.
The suspect was placed under the temporary custody of the Bongao police for proper documentation and disposition.
A joint team of policemen, intelligence personnel, and the National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency (NICA) carried out the operation against the suspect.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BARMM), said the operation against Al was successfully conducted with the support of the public by providing relevant information to authorities.
The ASG gained notoriety through their kidnapping activities and brutal killings of some of hostages while in captivity. (PNA)
