Indonesian girl, 13, being groomed as suicide bomber rescued in Sulu raid
Joint police and military operatives rescued on on Wednesday night, June 23, a daughter of a suspected Indonesian suicide bomber in a raid in Patikul town of Sulu.
Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, commanding general of the 11th Infantry Division, said the 13-year old girl was rescued after the operation that occurred at 11:55 p.m. in Barangay Bangkal.
He said the operation also resulted in the killing of a certain Sawi, a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group under subleader Arnah Patit.
"Our men were supposed to serve a warrant of arrest against ASG member Rudymar Habib Jihiiran alias Gulam when our were shot at by him and his comrades. A firefight ensued, which resulted to the death of an alias Sawi,” said Gonzles.
Seized during the operation were an olive green backpack containing an electric blasting cap, a 12 inches long blue detonating cord , a pair of 9 volts battery and cellphones.
The rescued victim is a daughter of an Indonesian couple who were the perpetrators of 2019 Jolo Cathedral Bombing identified as Rullie Rian Zeke and Ulfa Handayani Saleh.
Reportedly, the 13-year old Indonesian was married to a full pledged ASG, her older brother is an armed member under the Daulah Islamiyah group.
Gonzales said the 13-year old victim is is being groomed as a suicide bomber.
"With regard her disposition, of course, we will just abide by what is prescribe by the law. We sincerely hope that she could be deracialized and have another chance on a decent life. Involving children in this kind of terroristic act is outright shameful and a clear violation of our existing laws," said Gonzales.