Navy apprehends six suspected Abu Sayyaf members off Sulu

November 22, 2017

The Philippine Navy apprehended six suspected members of Abu Sayyaf Group off the waters of Sulu last Monday.

Rear Admiral Rene Medina, Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander, said they are  Omar Amping, 39; Gabby S Juwa, 35; Jadi Luhadi, 21; Alcimel Abdulla, 18; Madi Jalilul, 19 and Sakkam Dekani, 60.

“Further investigation revealed that Omar Amping is a notorious killer (gun-for-hire) and ranked number four in the “Most Wanted List of Personalities” in Zamboanga City with two standing warrant of arrest for five counts of Murder,” Medina said.

Medina said the Philippine Navy troops captured the suspects while responding to a reported harassment of the armed men on a commercial fishing vessel named FB Nancy 888 off the waters of Saluping Island in Basilan last Sunday evening.

“Allegedly, the armed group were onboard two motorized pump boats steaming at the vicinity 22 nautical miles northeast off Saluping Island in Basilan also known as Sibarot fishing grounds located between the island province of Sulu and Basilan,” he said.

Medina deployed BRP Manuel Gomez (PC 388) and one Navy Seal team in the area “to conduct maritime interdiction operations (MIO) against a hostile contact.”

Medina said the government forces arrested the suspects the vicinity off Bolod Island, Tonquil, Sulu around 8:32 pm last Monday.

“Through the immediate reaction of Naval Task Group and Special CAFGU Active Auxilliary, the  armed group was apprehended and subsequently transported to headquarters NFWM ( Naval Forces Western Mindanao) at Zamboanga City for proper disposition,” he said.

Medina added troops also recovered one M16A1 rifle with three long and one short magazine consisting of 110 live ammunition from the bandits.

“Upon arrival to headquarters Naval Forces Western Mindanao (HNFWM) the group was given medical check-ups at a military hospital and underwent interrogation by a combined police and military team,” he said. Robina Asido/DMS