ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police arrested a 67-year-old follower of the late Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Ghalib Andang, alias “Commander Robot,” in Indanan, Sulu on Wednesday, Sept. 14, after 13 years of hiding.
Major William Maisog, Sulu Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief, identified the suspect as Mahari Aradji of Barangay Kajatian.
The CIDG BaSulTa (Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi) with the Special Action Force and intelligence operatives arrested Aradji during “Oplan Pagtugis” and “Salikop” operations in Sitio Tugamot, Barangay Kajatian at around 4 a.m.
Aradji was arrested for double murder based on a warrant of arrest issued by the Sulu Regional Trial Court.
The suspect became a fugitive after escaping from the Sulu Provincial Jail in Jolo in 2009.
He was linked to a series of kidnappings and other terrorist activities after becoming a follower of Andang, one of the first leaders of the ASG.