Police nab Abu Sayyaf sub-leader wanted for murder, arson in Basilan

Authorities on Saturday arrested an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader wanted for the murder of a barangay chairman, as well as the burning of several houses in Basilan.

In a statement, the Philippine National Police said Hadi Faisal Abdulkarim was captured in a counter-terrorism operation conducted by the PNP-Intelligence Group and the PNP-Special Action Force in Barangay Matata, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan at 2 a.m.

Police identified Abdulkarim as sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group-Dawlah Islamiyah Basilan Group operating under leader Radzmil Jannatul, who succeeded the late ASG-Basilan Leader Furuji Indama.

Abdulkarim is the subject of two separate warrants of arrest, as he is the primary suspect in the murder of Barangay Chairman Naber Usani in 2014, and the attack and torching of several houses in Barangay Bulo-Bulo, Sumisip, Basilan in 2004.

Authorities confiscated three assault rifles, an M203 grenade launcher and live rounds of 40mm grenade ammunition from the suspect. 

PNP Chief Police Major General Debold Sinas said Abdulakrim is known to harbor wounded ASG rebels from Sulu in his makeshift medical station in Basilan, where assorted medical supplies were also recovered.

Sinas said Abdulkarim's recovered mobile phone is also subject to digital forensic examination to determine his links with other known terrorist personalities and possible foreign fund sources.

The latest operation is part of the government's continuing intensified legal offensive initiatives against local terrorist personalities wanted by the court. —LBG, GMA News