Military cites neutralization, arrest of two alleged Abu Sayyaf members

July 17, 2017

Two alleged Abu Sayyaf members fell into the hands of the police and military in last week, highlighting the sustained law enforcement support operations in Western Mindanao. ​"This is another operational feat attributable to the efforts of our troops on the ground and the police," said Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez, Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief, in a statement on Monday. ​"I commend and congratulate Brigadier General Custodio Parcon, Jr., commander of the Joint Task Force Tawi-tawi and his troops, as well as Police Senior Superintendent Jerich Tan Royales, the police director of Tawi-tawi PPO, and all policemen of Tawi-tawi for a job well done." On July 15,  composite elements of the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi and the provincial police office of Tawi-Tawi neutralized kidnap-for-ransom member Ibno Moro in Barangay Kamagong, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi around 10:30 am. ​Moro, who has a standing warrant of arrest for murder, was a former member of the late sub-leader Jul Asman Sawadjaan, who operated in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. ​ Ranked as top 8 most wanted in the province of Tawi-Tawi, Moro was involved in the 1989 massacre in Barangay Lapid-Lapid, Bongao; 2004 kidnapping of Sibuto Mayor Kuyoh Pajiji of Sibutu; 2002 kidnapping of Alvin Chua at the Chinese Pier in Bongao; and 2004 murder of Rodrigo Alejandro Sr. and his son, Rodrigo Alejandro, Jr., in Barangay Buan, Panglima Sugala. ​ "Given the key involvement of Moro in various kidnappings perpetrated by the Tawi-Tawi based Abu Sayyaf members, the neutralization of the notorious bandit is deemed a big blow on the Abu Sayyaf and kidnap for ransom group, which has faced substantial loss as a result of our intensified operations," said Galvez. ​Elements of the Joint Task Force Zamboanga and the police also arrested Abdulmubin Kudalat Salamuddin, a.k.a. Mubin, in a joint conduct of law enforcement operation in Barangay Guiwan, Zamboanga City around 10:45pm of July 13. ​ A fragmentation grenade was recovered by the government forces from Salamuddin. ​ "Salamuddin is employed as a security guard at the Black Arrow Agency and is detailed at one of the malls in Zamboanga City," says Col.Leonel Nicolas, commander of  Joint Task Force Zamboanga. ​ "Involved in the 2002 Sidapan kidnapping, Salamuddin is a member of Sahiron and is trained by Jemaah Islamiyah member Amin Bacho, a.k.a. Jihad, in manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices and improvised landmine in Sulu." ​A gunner for the Abu Sayyaf, Salamuddin supplies firearms and ammunition to the Sulu-based terrorist group. DMS