Troops arrest 29 suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits

June 21, 2017

Zamboanga City - Twenty-nine suspected Abu Sayyaf Group members were arrested in a raid in the province of Sulu, a military official announced Wednesday. Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, said the suspects were arrested around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul municipality. Sobejana said four of the 29 suspects were identified as Abu Sayyaf member by victims witnesses of kidnapping incidents. Sobejana said the investigation and filing of criminal cases were being handled by the Sulu Police Provincial Office. Sobejana said they have been receiving reports those involved in kidnappings and other atrocities were hiding in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul, Sulu. He said among the kidnappings they were involved was that of Denery Tan, nine, who was kidnapped on June 6 in Barangay San Raymundo. The Abu Sayyaf bandits freed Tan on Monday in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul, after the victim’s family reportedly paid P200,000 ransom. DMS