‘Notorious’ Abu Sayyaf member arrested in Zamboanga City

MANILA, Philippines — An alleged notorious member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) wanted for murder was arrested at the Zamboanga Port Authority Compound in Zamboanga City on Friday.

Brig. Gen. Marni Marcos, director of the Police Regional Office in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), identified the suspect as Benhajar Salapuddin Alan.

He said the arrest was made by virtue of a warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 16, 9th Judicial Region, in Zamboanga City, with no recommended bail.

Alan was arrested at 5 a.m. by joint elements of the Sulu Police Provincial Office, Regional Intelligence Unit 9, Philippine National Police Intelligence Group, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 9, and Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company.

According to Marcos, Alan is an Abu Sayyaf militant under the late ASG senior leader Albader Parad. He was also allegedly one of the negotiators for the kidnapping-for-ransom activities of the terror group in Sulu province.

Alan is also the primary suspect in the killing of a certain Joemer Hashim Jawadin in Zamboanga City on December 7, 2015, said Marcos.

Further, the alleged militant was involved in the killing of Lt. Sali Salim, team leader of the provincial drug enforcement unit of Sulu Police Provincial Office, in an anti-drug operation on January 12 at Sitio Baunoh, Barangay Tagbak in Indanan town.

He was also involved in drug trade and gun-for-hire activities in Zamboanga City and Sulu province, according to Marcos.

The BARMM police chief attributed the successful operation to the intelligence-driven efforts of the police in Sulu in coordination with other intelligence units, military, and community.

The suspect is now under the custody of the Zamboanga City Police Office.

Edited by KGA