AFP Chief commends military in arrest of Sulu suicide bombers

MANILA, Philippines — General Gilbert Gapay, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, lauded efforts by the military and by various law enforcement units that led to the arrest of three terrorists linked to the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu.

Arrested were Nur-Aina Alihasan, Fatima Sandra Jimlani Jama, and Nana Isirani also known as Renzy Fantasy Rullie who, according to AFP Spokesman Major General Eduard Arevalo, are reportedly linked to Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Ben Quirino and Andi Baso, who is under an Indonesian terror group.

Arevalo said Israni is the wife of Baso and was allegedly involved in a foiled suicide bombing mission in Zamboanga after giving birth.

“General Gapay commends the operating units under Brigadier General William Gonzales, the Commander of the 11 Infantry Division and of Joint Task Force Sulu for this string of successes,” said Arevalo in a statement Saturday.

“He expresses the AFP’s gratitude to the residents and to local government executives in the municipalities of Jolo, Patikul, Indanan, and others who provided critical support and vital information that led to these successful operations.”

A composite team of AFP personnel and other lawmen from various government agencies arrested Alihasan, Kama, and Isirani at around 1:50 am in Brgy. San Raymundo in Jolo.

Seized in the operation were an improvised explosive device disguised as a vest, two pieces of container pipes, a piece of a nine-volt battery, a switch button, and a detonation cord among others.

“It could have brought unimaginable death to many innocent civilians and destruction to their properties had these individuals not been arrested,” said Arevalo.