Basilan jail mulls transfer of 18 Abu Sayyaf inmates to Manila

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The Basilan Provincial Jail (BPJ) confirmed the plan to transfer 18 Abu Sayyaf members, who are among its inmates, to Manila. 

Provincial Jail Warden Abdulhussin Atalad said they are just waiting for the court order to transfer the inmates to Manila.

The BPJ is supervised by the Basilan provincial government but is under the control of the Bureau of Corrections.

The transfer of the Abu Sayyaf detainees comes after the escape of eight prisoners, including an Abu Sayyaf member, late January from the island prison facility.

Atalad said the transfer plan of the Abu Sayyaf detainees has been requested previously but there was no court order yet submitted to him for the transfer.

“It is the court that knew about the plan. There has been no order that reached my office,” Atalad said. 

The city jail has also called for the transfer of suspected Abu Sayyaf militants, including three known leaders identified as Bensar Indama, Patek Samson and Dan Hajirul.

The request was made following foiled attempts of the Abu Sayyaf group to rescue its detained comrades by staging bombings to distract government security forces.