Abu tagged in beheading falls

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Combined Navy and police intelligence operatives captured an Abu Sayyaf member wanted for his participation in the beheading of Marine soldiers in Al-Barka, Basilan in 2007, the military said.

The suspect, Hamsalain Anjalin, alias Alim Alam, was driving a motorcycle locally known as habal-habal in the village of Lagayas in Tipo-Tipo town when he was sighted.

Rear Admiral Alexander Pama, chief of Naval Forces Western Mindanao and Task Force Trillium, said elements of the Naval Intelligence Service Group, 1st Marine Brigade, and Directorate for Integrated Police Operation promptly set up a trap and captured Anjalin at a checkpoint at around 8:50 a.m. last Sunday.

“The suspect was doing his routine mission to case possible kidnapping targets and the movements of government troops when he was sighted,” Pama said.

Anjalin had a pending arrest warrant for nine counts of murder and four counts of frustrated murder for his participation in the killing of 14 Marines belonging to the Marine Battalion Landing Team 8, 10 of whom were beheaded, in Barangay Guinanta, Al-Barka town on July 10, 2007.

Pama said Anjalin was then working for Moro Islamic Liberation Front “lost command” leaders Hassan Asnawi and Suhud Limaya, who led the attack on the Marines. – Roel Pareño