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Saudi man with links to top ISIS leaders arrested in Cotabato City

Philippines | National

Saudi man with links to top ISIS leaders arrested in Cotabato City

By Aaron Recuenco

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have arrested a 47-year old Saudi national and a woman in a raid in their house in Cotabato City on Wednesday.

(Photo via Aaron Recuenco / MANILA BULLETIN)

CIDG director Maj. Gen. Joel Napoleon Coronel said suspect Adel Sulaiman Alsushibani is a Saudi-based facilitator for the Southeast Asia unit of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) who maintains close contact with ISIS leaders in the region.

Among them, he said, are Esmael Abdulmalik, alias Abu Turaife, the ISIS-Eastern Asia sub-leader and Salahudin Hasan.

“Allegedly, he also attempted to bring other Arabs to the Philippines. He is said to be connected to the Ugur Suleyman Soylemez Orphanage sponsored by IHH Turkey Foundation,” said Coronel.

Also arrested during the operation was Norhaya Lumanggal, the 36-year old female companion of Alsushibani when the raid was conducted in Barangay Datu Balabaran in Mother Tamontaka, Cotabato City.

Coronel said the operation stemmed from reports of the presence of firearms and improvised explosives in the area.

Seized were Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and its components; a laptop, cellular phones, and various documents that include bank accounts and transaction reports. Police are now reviewing the seized documents.

A case of violation of Republic Act 9516 (Unlawful Possession of Explosive) is being prepared for filing against the two suspects.

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