NBI rounds up 6 suspected Abus linked to kidnappings

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently arrested six suspected members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in separate operations in Metro Manila, Bataan, and Zamboanga.

NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin identified the suspects as Azmier Maalum, alias Totong Aling; Amar Assan, alias Sonny and Abubakar; Musa Tahil Sampang, alias Hadji Ramon Gonzales and Hadji Butah; Jamil Ibrahim, alias Malangka Dawasa; Yong Aming, alias Jamal Taib; and Majuk Tahil Amil, alias Enjie and Ejemal.

Maalum, Assan, Sampang, Ibrahim, and Aming have warrants of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the so-called 2001 Golden Harvest Plantation case.

Maalum and Assan were arrested in Taguig last May 16 by a joint team of operatives from the NBI’s Counter Terrorism Division (NBI-CTD) and from the Naval Intelligence and Security Group (NISG).

Sampang was arrested on May 20 in Balanga City in Bataan.

According to the NBI, Sampang was also involved in the kidnapping at the Dr. Torres Memorial Hospital in Lamitan, Basilan, and the bombings in the same province.

The three others were arrested in Zamboanga City.

Ibrahim and Aming were implicated in the Golden Harvest kidnapping, while Amil has an arrest warrant for the 2002 Jehovah’s Witnesses kidnapping in Patikul, Sulu.

The NBI said they acted on information that Assan was harboring Maalum.

Assan was charged with obstruction of justice in violation of Presidential Decree No. 1829 and two counts of falsification of public documents in violation of Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)