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Philippines

Wife of Sayyaf leader nabbed for explosives possession

Philippines

Wife of Sayyaf leader nabbed for explosives possession

By Liza Jocson

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The wife of an Abu Sayyaf leader was arrested by military operatives on Saturday, March 5, at Zone 3, Barangay Tulay, Jolo, Sulu for alleged possession of explosives.

Nursitta Mahalli Malud, 34, also known as Kirsita Ismael, was arrested after military intelligence and Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Forces (SAF) served her a search warrant for violation of RA 9516, the law on Illegal Possession of Explosives.

Malud was caught in possession of bomb-making components, including an 81mm cartridge, detonation cord, a 9 volt battery, a stranded wire attached to a blasting cap, a 9 volt battery with snap connector, an arming switch, a stranded wire loop type switch, and other paraphernalia.

She was identified as the second wife of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader and bomb maker Mundi Sawadjaan. The suspect is allegedly in charge of the group’s finances and in the procurement of explosives.

Malud was placed under the custody of the Jolo Municipal Police Station while the explosives were transferred to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for disposition.

Joint Task Force Sulu Commander Ignatius Patrimonio said that with the arrest of Malud, another bombing attack in Sulu province has been prevented.

Last Feb. 27, joint military and police forces defused an improvised explosive device and seized bomb components in Patikul municipality.

"Bombing has no place in Sulu. We need to zero-in on the leadership of the Local Terrorist Group and its members as soon as possible to prevent any atrocities from happening. We cannot allow any bombing attack because it will only hamper the furtherance of the relative peace Sulu has today,” Patrimonio said.

Related Tags

Explosives ABU SAYYAF WIFE OF LEADER

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