Troops nab Abu bandit in Zambo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Government security forces arrested here yesterday a suspected Abu Sayyaf bandit wanted for kidnapping in Basilan. 

Arasad Saidjuwan – with aliases Abu Ayob, Abu Mara and Amama – was arrested on Zaragosa street at around 9:30 a.m.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro said Saidjuwan also uses the name Arasad Amin Sahid.

Casimiro said Saidjuwan had just arrived from Isabela City in Basilan when he was cornered by a joint team composed of members of the city police, Philippine Center for Transnational Crime, Presidential Anti-Organize Crime Commission, naval intelligence group and the regional intelligence unit.

Saidjuwan is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Isabela City Judge Leo Jay Principe for kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

Authorities said the case stemmed from the kidnap of plantation workers in Lantawan, Basilan in 2001.

The suspect was brought to the Zamboanga City police station.

Troops seize Abu camp

Meanwhile, government troops overran an Abu Sayyaf camp after launching mortar fires in Patikul, Sulu on Wednesday.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, chief of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said an undetermined number of bandits led by Abu Sayyaf leaders Radullan Sahiron and Hatib Sawadjaan were believed wounded or killed in the bombardment in Barangay Darayan. 

Arrojado said troopers of the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion were about to establish harbor position, when they saw lights flashing near their location at about 8 p.m. Wednesday.

He said the troopers were able to confirm the lights came from a group of bandits moving toward Darayan. 

“The troopers initially unleashed six rounds of mortar toward the Abu Sayyaf positioned about 400 meters away from their location. The mortar fires were followed by rounds of artillery fires at about 11:30 p.m.” Arrojado said.

The troops conducted clearing operation at about 5 a.m. yesterday and seized the camp abandoned by the militants.

Troopers saw bloodstains at the camp, indicating the bandits suffered casualties, and recovered a damaged rifle and documents. – With Jaime Laude