An alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who is wanted for a series of kidnap for ransom cases since 2021 was arrested by members of the Pasay City Intelligence Section and the Warrant and Subpoena Section on Friday (July 7).
Col. Cesar Paday-os, city police chief, identified the suspect as Hajar Binabdul Mubin with aliases of Abu Asries, Meiradz, Muadz and Mudadz, 30, of Bubuan Island, Basilan.
Paday-os said the suspect was arrested around 11:30 p.m. upon his arrival at the NAIA Terminal 3 from Malaysia.
He said that prior to his arrest, the police and several government agencies conducted an intelligence operation that resulted in the arrest of Mubin. A warrant of arrest issued by Judge Peter Eisma of Zamboanga Regional Trial Court Branch 15 for the crime of kidnapping for ransom with no bail recommended was served against him.
Southern Police District (SPD) Director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg said the suspect is temporarily detained at the District Special Operation Unit for proper disposition and pending the issuance of a commitment order from the court of origin.
Macaraeg said a background check made on Mubin disclosed that he is a member of the ASG based in Basilan under Furiji Indama and was involved in at least four encounters with the military.
The SPD chief said Mubin left the group in 2015 and went into hiding in Malaysia to evade arrest and prosecution for the crimes he committed.
Macaraeg said Mubin, while in Malaysia, was able to secure a fake residence card and created a Facebook account under the name of Mieradz Zhiadqie IV for him to continue his communication with his former ASG comrades.
The suspect admitted that he was arrested by the Malaysian police in August 2017 together with seven other Filipino neighbors for allegedly plotting a terror attack during the Southeast Asian Games and celebration of Merdeka (Malaysia Independence Day) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Mubin was also arrested by the Royal Malaysian police in Taiman Desa Balduri, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur in August 2017 for his alleged involvement in terrorist activities.