ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - - Joint police and military intelligence unit captured a bandit leader, tagged as one of the most wanted persons in western Mindanao, during a raid Tuesday dawn in a hideout in Payao town, Zamboanga Sibugay, a police official said.
The captured suspect was identified as Talib Asaali also known as commander Talib and Saguksuk.
Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca said joint operatives of the police and military intelligence raided the hideout of Talib about 4:30 a.m at Barangay Dalama.
Talib has a standing warrant of arrest issued by Judge Ruben Maraon for the crimes of multiple murder with frustrated murder and theft.
The government security forces recovered from the possession of Talib a baby armalite with four magazines loaded with ammunition and a .45 caliber pistol with seven ammunition.
The police official said Talib is included in 16 most wanted persons in Western Mindanao.
Huesca said the suspect in now under the custody of the Zamboanga sibugay Police Provincial Office for proper disposition to the court. - Roel Pareño