Suspected Abu Sayyaf member nabbed in Sulu

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities arrested a suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu Tuesday, a spokesman from the Philippine National Police said Wednesday.

Adzhar Patta Mawalil, who also goes by the name Ajang Nedz Mawalil, was arrested by joint elements of the police and military in Sulu, said Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr.

He said authorities swooped down on Mawalil at 5:41 p.m. in Sitio (sub-village) Martinez, Barangay (village) San Raymundo, Jolo.

Cruz said that Mawalil was a member of the Albader Parad group responsible for beheading seven workers of BJ Mill in Silangkan, Parang, Sulu, abductions and other atrocities in 2010.

The spokesman added that Mawalil was undergoing debriefing at the headquarters of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-9 (MLBT 9).