ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police are holding a suspected Abu Sayyaf militant after capturing him on a village in the southern Philippine port city of Zamboanga, officials said Friday.
Officials said the 57-year old Ben Mungakay, alias Boy Negro, was tracked down by policemen and soldiers in Curuan village, about 46 kilometers from downtown Zamboanga.
Mungakay’s group under Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Marzan Ajijul, is being linked to the gruesome murder of Doroteo Gonzales in April 2009.
Gonzales, 71, was kidnapped in Zamboanga and brought to nearby Basilan province where he was beheaded the next month after his family failed to pay ransom to the Abu Sayyaf.
There was no immediate statement from Gonzales’ family over the capture of Mungakay.
The capture of the militant came days after Mayor Beng Climaco ordered security forces to intensify their operations against terrorism and criminals.
“The security sector has done and continue to do a great job to guaranty the safety and security of the residents amidst the merry-making activities during the advent season,” she said and at the same time urged citizens to continue to stay vigilant. (Mindanao Examiner)
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