FILE PHOTO: Philippine National Police
MANILA, Philippines — An Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member was arrested by the police at Tierra Pura Homes, Tandang Sora, in Quezon City at 6:30 pm on Wednesday.
In a police report Thursday, the captured ASG member was identified as a certain Janhar Abdulhari, 37.
Southern Police District Director Police Brigadier General Kirby John Brion Kraft said Abdulhari, also known as Julpikar Pendiwata, was wanted for a murder case and had been evading arrest for years. The ASG member is also listed as one of the most wanted persons – fifth and seventh at the provincial and municipal levels, respectively – in Zamboanga.
“The suspect was a known member of the ASG operating under Kumander Wanning Abdusallam. The ASG has been implicated in numerous cases of kidnapping and murder in Zamboanga Sibugay over the past several years,” said Kraft in a statement.
The operation to capture Abdulhari was based on intelligence reports, Kraft added. Meanwhile, the arrest warrant was initially issued in connection with a murder case, according to PNP.
“After the arrest, Abdulhari was immediately taken to the District Special Operations Unit in the Southern Police District office for booking and mugshot,” said Kraft.
PNP then vowed to strengthen further their crime detection and prevention against wanted persons following Abdulhari’s arrest.