ASG member nabbed in Tawi-Tawi with the help of locals – miltary

Zamboanga City - An alleged Abu Sayyaf Group gunman was arrested in Sitangkai, Tawi-tawi after neighbors pointed him out to local security forces, the Philippine Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command said in a statement.

Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi's (JTF Tawi-Tawi's) Marine Battalion Landing Team 10 arrested Sahidul Bandhala Jikiri, a.k.a Idul/Jamiri Saidul/Saidul Idul/Jikiri Saidul last Saturday after his Barangay Sipangkot neighbors pointed him out as among the ASG kidnappers operating in the area.

"MBLT10 troops were having a 'pulong-pulong' among the local populace of Sipangkot when the information on the identity of Jikiri was volunteered by one of the concerned residents," explained JTF Tawi-Tawi commander Brigadier General Custodio Parcon.

"In coordination with the PNP, we immediately invited Jikiri for an interview. In the course of questioning, Jikiri confessed to be an ASG/KFRG member, under ASG/KFRG sub leaders Idang Susukan and Sihata Latip, whose groups are operating in Sulu Province," Parcon added.

Jikiri also revealed that he was often contacted by ASG/KFRG sub-leaders Abraham Hamid, Salip Susung, Nixon Muktadil, and Brown Muktadil when kidnappings and cross-border seajackings were planned. These plans were mostly aimed against foreign nationals and vessels.

Jikiri was also affiliated with other Abu Sayyaf sub-groups, such as the Raden Abu group and the Alden Bagade group, for whom he acted as an errand man, procuring speedboats and other requirements needed to support kidnapping activities.

Parcon said that aside from the payment Jikiri received for running errands, he also received a part of the ransom.

Jikiri was turned over to the Tawi-Tawi PNP, and the filing of appropriate charges was being processed.

"This is a very good example of a community that is united in fighting the Abu Sayyaf," said Western Mindanao Command chief Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez Jr. "We urge other towns and communities all over the BaSulTa area to do the same, so that the Abu Sayyaf and their supporters will be forced to surrender."

All in all, 18 Abu Sayyaf gunmen had been apprehended in the WestMinCom area, 48 had surrendered, and 56 were killed. — DVM, GMA News