Three Abu Sayyaf members, led by Jolo bomb mastermind, in Zambo Peninsula: mayor

August 29, 2020

Three Abu Sayyaf members, one of whom has been tagged as the mastermind in the twin Jolo blasts, have reportedly fled Sulu and are in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

In a video message Saturday, Zamboanga City Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said they received reports from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) regional director that Mundi Sawajaan, the bombing mastermind; and Indonesians Andi Baso and Reski Fantasya alias Cici, escaped from Jolo.

Salazar said the red alert status has been raised in her city.

The national government is offering a reward of P3 million for the information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of each of the suspects, she added.

" We have to increase our alert status because were given information from NICA regional director that the suicide bombers from Jolo have escaped and posing a terror threat in Zamboanga Peninsula so we are alerting everyone,'' said Salazar.

''We are asking our security forces down to the barangay to be on alert so that we will be able to prevent and deter acts of terrorism in our areas of jurisdiction. We have also instructed the Navy and the Coast Guard to lead  our maritime interjection capability. That is why even our checkpoints will be strengthened subject to COVID protocols,'' she added. DMS