Hapilon's man, falls to troops in Zamboanga City

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (June 19, 2017) - A notorious member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and close escort of ASG leader Isnilon Hapilon was arrested by the joint operating forces of the military and police in Zamboanga City on Saturday (June 17).

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that elements of the Joint Task Force Zamboanga and the Zamboanga City Police Office arrested Abu Sayyaf member Hamsi Amajad Marani a.k.a HAMSI, an ASG bomb expert at Purok 4, Sitio Niyog-Niyog, Brgy Muti, Zamboanga City at 1:30am.

Reports from the JTF Zamboanga disclosed that Marani was spotted by a concerned citizen who immediately notified the authorities leading to the bomber's arrest. The subject is a notorious member of the ASG, and is a trained bomber by an Indonesian Jemaah Islamiyah bomb expert. Recovered from the possession of Marani were Improvised Explosive Devises' making paraphernalia.

Said Abu was also involved in series of military encounters against the government forces in Sulu and Basilan Provinces.

"This successful operation is done in close coordination with the members of the Zamboanga City Police Office," says Colonel Leonel Nicolas, the Commander of the Joint Task Force Zamboanga.

"The vigilant people of Zamboanga City will never allow any notorious group or individuals to thrive and stay within their peaceful and progressive place," Col Nicolas added.

As of this report, Marani is under the custody of the Zamboanga Police Office undergoing debriefing, Cpt. Petinglay added.

"I would like to laud our soldiers and policemen for this recent accomplishment," says Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

"The capture of Marani will somehow cripple any possible support being given by Marani to Hapilon as he struggle to leave Marawi to safety."

"Your WestMinCom forces will continue to hunt down the remaining Abu Sayyaf terrorists until they are incapable of instilling fear to our communities and cities," adds Lieutenant General Galvez.