‘Boy Muslim’ arrested by PSG, WPD agents

A man with the same alias but reportedly of no less notoriety than wanted criminal Boy Muslim, was arrested yesterday by the Presidential Security Group in a raid in Paco, Manila, for alleged involvement in a bloody June 13 robbery.

Boy Muslim whose real name is either Hadji Failan Abbubakkar or Abdul Gani Abbubakkar, is allegedly a "well-connected" cop-killer involved in several robberies in the past. He was nabbed by members of the Western Police District (WPD) Field Force, a component of the PSG, early yesterday.

The other Boy Muslim or Eduardo Iran, is also described as a cop-killer and ranks high in the law enforcers’ order of battle. They are about of the same age, in their late 40s.

Abbubakkar, however, appeared meek and soft-spoken when turned-over to the Manila police. He denied his reportedly long criminal history and claimed to be a mere "barter trader" of malong wraps in Divisoria.

He was reportedly in a shabu session when Inspector Abejano Jero and his men barged into a house in Barrio Sta. Maria, in Paco. His companions reportedly escaped. Police are temporarily holding him on a deadly weapon charge, for possession of a six-inch knife.

Abbubakkar is reportedly one of the holdupmen who robbed the Gesianai Handicraft and Money Changer in Ermita, Manila. One of the robbers was killed and two others were arrested. Abbubakkar and an unidentified suspect were reportedly the two suspects who escaped with the loot.

The suspect was arrested on information provided by his self-confessed fences, Marcelo Garcia, 28, and Lourdes Mallari, 33.

Garcia revealed that Abbubakkar killed several policemen and even spat on their bodies. His former live-in partner, who went to the WPD, corroborated Garcia and Mallari, but identified herself only as "Honey".

She confirmed that her former live-in partner is involved in the slaying of an electric bill collector in Mandaluyong some two years ago and has been arrested by the Manila police for highway robbery. Garcia said Abbubakkar has "connections" with some law enforcers as he was immediately released a day after his first arrest, despite an unlicensed firearm and illegal drugs in his possession.

To prove his allegation that Abbubakkar was part of the robbers that hit the money shop, Garcia said he was at the crime scene because the suspect "brought him there". He did not know the holdup plan of Abbubakkar’s group and even lent him P300, to retrieve a cellphone he would sell for a commission.

"Try flashing his face on television and many people robbed in jeepneys would surely recognize him," said Garcia.

Abbubakkar bears a Batang City Jail tattoo. He gave his name as Abdul Gani Abbubakkar to the police but Honey said his real name is Haji Failan Abbubakkar. He is now detained at the Manila police headquarters.

"He is a dangerous person, he trusts no one and he does not have a permanent group. I believe he even killed some of his co-conspirators in the past. You can check his background and you will find out a lot about him," added Garcia. Garcia said Ababubakkar is a former soldier and once held a young girl in Quezon City hostage when cornered by police, enabling him to escape.

That girl is reportedly Honey herself. Honey refused to confirm or deny this.