Beard not enough disguise for Abu Sayyaf
By Jocelyn Uy
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:01:00 10/12/2008
MANILA -- A member of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group believed to be involved in the abduction of a Manila-based television news crew in Sulu province in June, was arrested on Saturday while roaming around downtown Jolo, a military spokesperson reported.
Members of the Sixth Marine Battalion Landing Team recognized and nabbed Marcial Totoh Jabarot alias Abu Cesar, despite his long hair and beard on Saturday night, said Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr., the Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson.
Jabarot's arrest came a day after suspected Abu Sayyaf members engaged soldiers and police in a brief firefight that killed one and led to the arrest of three suspects, now detained at the Jolo police station and undergoing interrogation, said Torres.
The group was monitored circling a grocery store owned by a supposed kidnap target before the gunfight three days ago.
Jabarot's participation in the June kidnapping of ABS-CBN journalist Ces Drilon, her cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama, was established during the initial inquiry with the arrested suspects, added Torres.
"Information on his involvement in the abduction was obtained from the three suspects captured on Friday evening. We will still know in the coming days what other information can we get from [Jabarot]," the military spokesperson told the Philippine Daily Inquirer over the phone.
"This is definitely a positive development in establishing the identities and whereabouts of Ces' kidnappers," he added.
According to Navy spokesperson Edgard Arevalo, the elements of the 36th Marine Company monitored Jabarot lurking near the vicinity of Sincere grocery store in downtown Jolo, where his three comrades were arrested during a botched kidnap attempt Friday night.
"An immediate check by the Marines of photos on file revealed Jabarot's identity despite him sporting longer hair and a beard," said Arevalo.
When a squad of Marines swooped down near the grocery store at 11:10 p.m. Saturday, Jabarot immediately surrendered.
He later admitted being a member of the ASG when the Marines showed him an old video bearing his face.
Torres said Jabarot has been a member of the ASG since 2000 and a follower of extremist sub-commander Jul Asbi Jalmaani.
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