MANILA, Philippines — An Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member included in the government’s most wanted list has been arrested by operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in Binondo, Manila.
An NCRPO report showed Saturday that joint operatives of Regional Special Operations Unit, Regional Intelligence Group, and Philippine National Police (PNP) Intelligence Group collared Sudais Asmad, alias “Abu Nas” and “Suhud,” on December 20.
Asmad, who hails from Ladang, Zamboanga del Sur, currently lives in Tondo, Manila, according to authorities.
Police said after receiving information that Asmad was spotted on Elcano Street, Barangay 271 in Binondo, they immediately planned the operation to implement the arrest order against the ASG member.
The warrant of arrest was issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 1 of the 9th Judicial Region in Isabela, Basilan on January 28, 2008.
According to police, Asmad was involved in the kidnapping of 15 employees from the Golden Harvest Plantation in Barangay Tairan in Lantawan, Basilan last June 2001.
“The probe revealed that on June 11, 2001, Abu Sayaff Terrorist Group kidnapped 15 employees of Golden Harvest Plantation located in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan Province and held them captive from June to October 2001,” NCRPO said in a report.
“One of the kidnap victims positively identified and executed an affidavit detailing Asmad’s participation of the crime,” it added.
Aside from a kidnapping case, Asmad is also allegedly part of the ASG team operating with the Dawlah Islamiyah, under the group of Furuji Indama. He was supposed to augment the ASG forces under Isnilon Hapilon during the Marawi siege in 2017.
Police said that based on their investigation, Asmad is in Manila to secure funds from their sympathizers.
“He is in Manila purportedly to receive financial support from sympathizers of the Dawlah Islamiya and unknown missions,” NCRPO said.
During the arrest, police said they confiscated from Asmad a .45 caliber Remington Rand INC pistol with four live bullets inside the magazine and one live bullet in the chamber.
Police said Asmad will face additional charges for violation Section 28(a) (Unlawful Acquisition or Possession of Small Arm) of R.A. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. /kga