Seven local terrorists nabbed in Zambo City

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (May 17, 2017) – Seven (7) members of a local terrorist group were arrested by the Marine troops under the Joint Task Force Zamboanga in this city on Sunday (May 14), military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Information Officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that Salip Alip, Benhar Hasin, Bargen Hasim, Karim Majad, Hadani Odjor, Mohammad Hatuirdin, and Jamric Ismani, who were staging a robbery on a sari-sari store in Barangay Buenavista, this city, were accosted by the troops of the 111th Marine Company along the road of Barangay Muti Highway at 10:05pm.

Cpt. Petinglay said that Alip, 18 years old and a local terrorist under Jamuil Nasalon, a.k.a. Abu Harris, has a warrant of arrest for murder. He is involved in the murder of eight fishermen on Siromon island in Zamboanga City on January 10, 2017; the strafing of a rural bus in Barangay Buenavista, this city on February 14, 2017; and the murder of Ronald Juela in Barangay Buti, this city on November 10, 2016.

"Seized from the seven local terrorists were a Caliber .45 pistol without pertinent documents belonging to Alip, two magazines loaded with ammunition, and three motorcycles boarded by the subjects when they were accosted by the troops," says Colonel Leonel Nicolas, the Commander of the Joint Task Force Zamboanga.

The arrested persons and seized items were brought to the Curuan Police Station for proper documentation and filing of charges, added Cpt. Petinglay.

The Joint Task Force Zamboanga coordinated with the various intelligence units for the conduct of custodial debriefing on the arrested persons.

"Joint Task Force Zamboanga's way of life is to keep the people of Zamboanga secured. This recent successful operation only manifests that your soldiers and policemen are working doubly in order to stop these lawless elements from continually creating havoc in the communities of Zamboanga.

"As of press time, follow-up intelligence operations are ongoing.

"It is my standing order to Col Nicolas, the JTF Zamboanga Commander to make sure that Zamboanga City will become one of the most secured and safest cities in Mindanao," says Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

"For this is my personal belief that before a place becomes progressive, it should be safe first and conducive for development."

"We would like to thank the City Government of Zamboanga for their continuos support in our endeavor for a more peaceful and progressive Zamboanga City," LTGen Galvez adds.