Most wanted Abu, bomb expert under Sahiron neutralized in Western Mindanao

IBNO MORO

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (July 16, 2017) - The sustained conduct of law enforcement support operations launched by the troops and the police yielded to the neutralization of a notorious gunner and bomb expert of the Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf Group under top leader Radullan Sahiron, and another member included in the police watchlist in Western Mindanao within a span of three days, military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that composite elements of the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi and the Provincial Police Office of Tawi-Tawi neutralized Abu Sayyaf and kidnap-for-ransom member Ibno Moro in Barangay Kamagong, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi at around 10:30am Saturday (July 15).

Moro, who has a standing warrant of arrest for murder, was a former member of the late sub-leader Jul Asman Sawadjaan, who operated in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.

Cpt. Petinglay said that Moro ranked as Top 8 Most Wanted in the province of Tawi-Tawi, he was involved in the 1989 massacre in Barangay Lapid-Lapid, Bongao; 2004 kidnapping of Sibuto Mayor Kuyoh Pajiji of Sibutu; 2002 kidnapping of Alvin Chua at the Chinese Pier in Bongao; and 2004 murder of Rodrigo Alejandro Sr. and his son, Rodrigo Alejandro, Jr., in Barangay Buan, Panglima Sugala.

"This is another operational feat attributable to the efforts of our troops on the ground and the police," said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

"I commend and congratulate Brigadier General Custodio J. Parcon, Jr., Commander of the Joint Task Force Tawi-tawi and his troops, as well as Police Senior Superintendent Jerich Tan Royales, the Police Director of Tawi-tawi PPO, and all policemen of Tawi-tawi for a job well done."

"Given the key involvement of Moro in various kidnappings perpetrated by the Tawi-Tawi based Abu Sayyaf members, the neutralization of the notorious bandit is deemed a big blow on the Abu Sayyaf and kidnap for ransom group, which has faced substantial loss as a result of our intensified operations."

“With the support of the community, local chief executives, and our stakeholders, the province of Tawi-Tawi is fast becoming a template for other provinces to achieve peace and development,” added the WestMinCom Chief.

Meanwhile, elements of the Joint Task Force Zamboanga and the police also arrested Abu Sayyaf member Abdulmubin Kudalat Salamuddin, a.k.a. Mubin, in a joint conduct of law enforcement operation in Barangay Guiwan, Zamboanga City at around 10:45pm Thursday (July 13), Cpt. Petinglay added.

A fragmentation grenade was also recovered by the government forces from Salamuddin.

"Salamuddin is currently employed as a security guard at the Black Arrow Agency and is detailed at one of the malls in Zamboanga City," says Colonel Leonel Nicolas, Commander of the Joint Task Force Zamboanga.

"Involved in the 2002 Sidapan kidnapping, Salamuddin is a member of Sahiron and is trained by Jemaah Islamiyah member Amin Bacho, a.k.a. Jihad, in manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices and improvised landmine in Sulu."

A gunner for the Abu Sayyaf, Salamuddin supplies firearms and ammunition to the Sulu-based terrorist group.

"JTF Zamboanga will continue to assist the police in the intensified conduct of law enforcement operations to contain the bandits within Zamboanga City," Colonel Nicolas adds. "Keeping Cotabato safe and secured, will always be our top priority."

LtGen Galvez also congratulated Colonel Nicolas and his men as well as the policemen of Zamboanga City urging them to make the recent feat a motivation to achieve more and do more.