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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP gets hold of 8 Abu Sayyaf men nabbed in Sabah

AFP gets hold of 8 Abu Sayyaf men nabbed in Sabah

Published May 29, 2021 04:27 pm

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday, May 28, took custody of eight Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) militants who were captured by Malaysian authorities in Sabah, Malaysia earlier this month.

Ranking officials of the Western Mindanao Command and Malaysia's Eastern Sabah Security Command discuss their partnership on counterterrorism following the turnover of eight Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) rebels in Tawi-Tawi on May 28, 2021. (Photo courtesy of WESTMINCOM)

The eight ASG rebels were turned over by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) to the AFP Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) during a hand-over activity in Taganak, Tawi-Tawi.

The ASG men were apprehended by the Malaysian police last May 8 at a community settlement in Jalan Taman Sri Arjuna, Beaufort, Sabah. They were identified as ASG sub-leader Sansibar Bensio, Firdaus Omar, Munimar Binda, Ladin Mujahirin Faizal, Hamzah Faizal, Sansis Mohammad, Halim Akhir, and Yusuf Akram, all based in Sulu province.

"Based on reports from the ground, said ASG personalities have already established a community cell in the squatter area in Jalan Taman Sri Arjuna wherein most of the residents...are their relatives or family members," said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of WESTMINCOM.

Sub-leader Bensio and his members are based in Eastern Sulu. They have allegedly been involved in numerous encounters with Marine forces in Panamo, Sulu.

According to the military, the group was planning to conduct kidnapping activities in Sabah but it was preempted due to the continuous exchange of information between Philippine and Malaysian authorities.

Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, commander of the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi and the 2nd Marine Brigade, thanked the ESSCOM for their "unwavering support" to the efforts of the Philippine military to eradicate the threat of ASG.

"With our unique partnership comes great and significant endeavors. Our intelligence collaboration works and this is a manifestation of a successful anti-terrorism drive with our neighbors," Rojas said.

Meanwhile, Gen. Datuk Ahmad Fuad Othman, commander of ESSCOM, affirmed Malaysia's commitment to help the Philippines in its counter-terrorism initiatives.

"The ESSCOM joins the Armed Forces of the Philippines in its advocacy to defeat and end terrorism in its areas of operation," Datuk said.

The ASG rebels were transported to Sulu where they will undergo coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing and quarantine protocols prior to their detention and the filing of appropriate charges against them.

Related Tags

Malaysia abu sayyaf group Philippines westmincom sabah
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