PNP investigating terror links of cop slain in Zamboanga City raid

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Philippine National Police (PNP) is investigating the possible terror links of a police officer who was slain in a predawn operation here on Wednesday (Jan. 27).

PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas has ordered an investigation into the past activities of SSgt Jamiri Hawang Abraham, who was said to have links with the homegrown terror group Abu Sayyaf.

“We want to know the extent of his involvement with the terrorist organization and to further establish other linkages,” Sinas said in a press release.

“It is unfortunate that his blood relationship and affinity with terrorist personalities may have compromised his professional integrity as a police officer,” Sinas added.

Sinas said the operation on Wednesday was initiated by several police units operating in Zamboanga City—intelligence group, regional police, Special Action Force, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Integrity Management and Enforcement Group and Explosives and Ordnance Disposal-K9 Group.

It was launched to serve a search warrant issued by Judge Peter V. Eisma, of the Regional Trial Court Branch 15 in Zamboanga City, in relation to an illegal possession of explosives case.

In a report, regional police chief Brig. Gen. Valeriano De Leon said Abraham opened fire triggering a brief gunfight with the search team.

De Leon said the raiding team seized several bomb components that were the subject of the search, as well as two pistols and an assault rifle.

Abraham was assigned to the City Drug Enforcement Unit of the Zamboanga City police.

According to police, surveillance made on Abraham revealed he had direct communication with Abu Sayyaf members in Sulu province, a bailiwick of the terror group.

Leonard Aliangan, village chief of Mampanga in Zamboanga City, said Abraham relocated in the village two years ago.

TSB