ASG sub-leader wanted for barangay exec slay arrested in Basilan, say police

MANILA, Philippines —The Abu Sayyaf (ASG) sub-leader, who is wanted for the 2014 killing of a barangay official, was arrested in Basilan on Saturday morning, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

In a report sent to PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas, the PNP Special Action Force and PNP Intelligence Group said Hadji Faisal Abdulkarim was captured in a counter-terrorism operation in Barangay Matata, Ungkaya Pukan at 2 a.m.

Police raiding team seized three assault rifles, a grenade launcher, and several grenade ammunition.

The ASG sub-leader has two arrest warrants for murder and multiple arson both issued by Isabela City Regional Trial Court Branch 2.

Police records also showed that Abdulkarim is a sub-leader of the ASG-Dawlah Islamiyah Basilan Group, who is operating under ASG leader Radzmil Jannatul.

Abdulkarim is also the primary suspect in the killing of barangay chairman Naber Usani and the attack and burning of several homes in Barangay Bulo, Sumisip, Basilan in 2004, police also said.

Sinas said they will use the recovered phone from the suspect for possible leads on other terrorists.

“We are subjecting a mobile phone recovered from him [Abdulkarim] to digital forensic examination to determine his links with other known terrorist personalities and possible foreign fund sources,” Sinas said in the same statement.

CFC