ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / May 5, 2014) – Police in Zamboanga City arrested a second Abu Sayyaf militant also tagged in a string of kidnappings in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, officials said Monday.
Senior Inspector Joseph Ortega, a regional police spokesman, said the militant, who uses the alias of Ondil, was arrested near a beach resort in the village of Sinunuc. He said intelligence agents backed by soldiers, were involved in the arrest of the militant.
He said the Abu Sayyaf man was among those who kidnapped 6 members of the Jehova’s Witnesses in August 2002 in Patikul town. Ortega said the militant is being investigated.
“His arrest is part of our continuing law enforcement operation in Zamboanga,” Ortega told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
Ondil’s arrest came a day after police agents also captured another militant, Harijin Jinny, in Zamboanga City. Jinny, alias Kim, was working as a security guard at a store in downtown Zamboanga when agents arrested him on the same charges.
It was unknown if the arrest of Ondil was connected to Jinny’s confession during interrogation.
Local officials have praised the regional and city police forces under Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño and Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, respectivley, for its many accomplishments in Zamboanga.
Authorities have linked the Abu Sayyaf to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya and tagged as behind the series of terror attacks and kidnappings for ransom in the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
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