Police nab Abu Sayyaf member, two more in Davao, Bulacan

MANILA, Philippines - Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have arrested an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member and two fugitives during separate operations in Davao and Bulacan last week.

Director Samuel D. Pagdilao, Jr., CIDG commander, identified the arrested fugitives as Najim Laisong, alias Uyong, 20, an ASG member and a resident of Barangay Tumahubong, Sumisip, Basilan; Joel Capatoy, 33, of Tierra Pulang Buhangin, Sta Maria, Bulacan; and Sesinio Naragas, of SUMIFRO Compound, PRYCE Tower, Bajada, Davao City.

Investigation disclosed that around 9 a.m. last December 13, CIDG tracker team with intelligence operatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines arrested Laisong for four counts of murder in Barangay Tumahubong, Sumisip, Basilan.

Region 9 CIDG chief Senior Superintendent Edgar Danao said Laisong is a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group under the leadership of Commander Abugao Bayali operating in Sumisip, Basilan Province.

Danao said Laisong, a wanted person in the national level category, was involved in the ambush slaying of Insp. Reymen Jannatul and three other policemen on June 28, 2009 at Sitio Nompol, Barangay Lower Benembengan, Sumisip, Basilan while the victims were on their way to Basilan provincial police office aboard their PNP service vehicle.

Danao added that Laisong is also a suspect in the killing of Master Sgt. Elizer Agoo, NCOIC, 9thISU-ISG on June 22, 2012 at Sitio Bunkhouse, Barangay Limbo Candis, Sumisip, Basilan.

Also around 1 a.m. last December 13, operatives of the CIDG Detective and Special Operations Division (DSOD) arrested Capatoy, a carpenter, in his house in Sta Maria, Bulacan by virtue of a warrant for murder issued by a court in Tacloban City.

Capatoy, a native of Alang-Alang, Leyte, was the primary suspect in the hacking to death of the live-in partner of his sister on May 2001. The suspect is still in custody of the CIDG DSOD pending his transfer to Tacloban City where he will be detained.

In Davao last Dec. 10, the CIDG arrested Naragas for violation of Sec. 5(b) in relation to Sec. 6(1) of RA 9262.

The suspect was subsequently released from the custody of the CIDG on the same day after posting the required bail-bond.