Police’s anti-kidnapping operatives killed a member of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in a raid in his house in Sibuco town of Zamboanga del Norte on Wednesday.
Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, director of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), said suspect Jupuri Dais tried to shoot it out with policemen while trying to escape at around 2 a.m. on Tuesday. The cops were there to serve an arrest warrant.
Dais, who uses the alias Jupuri Nabua, was involved in a string of kidnap-for-ransom cases in the past years.
“He was a former member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) before he decided to join the Abu Sayyaf under Almijir Yadah. Their group is involved in the series of kidnapping incidents in the municipalities and cities of Zamboanga Del Norte,” said Estomo.
“An intelligence information also stated that he was tasked to conduct spotting and surveillance in the area of Sibuco for possible kidnapping activities in the area. The would-be-victims were a project engineer and a contractor,” he added.
Seized from the suspect were a .45 pistol and live bullets.
The cadaver of Dais was turned over to the immediate family for disposition based on Muslim traditions.