Abi Salman, one of most wanted fugitives in Mindanao arrested

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Police and military operatives in Maguindanao has arrested one of the most wanted men in Mindanao.

Chief Supt. Noel Delos Reyes, police chief in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), citing report from Maguindanao police, identified the arrested suspect as Abi Salman, whose capture carried a P1.3-million reward.

Salman, also known as Sauman and Nanam Usman, allegedly resisted arrest when lawmen, composed of members and troops from the PNP intelligence, the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group and the 45th Infantry Battalion, served him the warrant for his arrest for murder and frustrated murder charges, in his hideout in Barangay Tuka, Mamasapano, Maguindanao, on Tuesday.

Delos Reyes said he tried to grab the M-16 rifle of one of the arresting officers forcing other policemen to shoot him in the leg.

He was brought to Davao City en route to Manila Wednesday morning, Delos Reyes said.

Salman is believed to be the nephew of Mindanao’s most wanted bomber Basit Usman, Delos Reyes said, citing intelligence reports.

Judge Rogelio Narisma of Regional Trial Court Branch 23 in Kidapawan City issued the warrant for Salman’s arrest. He is facing multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder, and attempted murder charges.

Usman, believed to be a member of the regional terror group Jemaah Islamiya, was linked to several bombings in Central Mindanao.

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