Suspect in kidnapping of Indonesian fishermen arrested in Zamboanga

Another suspect in the kidnapping of eight Indonesian fishermen was captured during a follow-up police operation in Zamboanga on Monday, police said.

In a statement, the Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar identified the suspect as Bensar Jakari a.k.a. Injimar Mangkabong and Injimal Andinji.

Police said Jakari was a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group and sub-leader under Idang Susukan operating in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Eleazar said Jakari was with Suhud Salasim and other Abu Sayyaf members when their motorboat capsized off Pasigan Laut, South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi on March 18 which led to the rescue of three kidnapped Indonesian fishermen and the arrest of Salasim.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group police officers revealed that Jakari had six outstanding warrants of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.

Meanwhile, Salasim was the subject of seven warrants of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom.

The initial investigation showed that the said Indonesian fishermen were kidnapped by seven armed men, allegedly members of the ASG, on January 15, 2020 at Tambisan, Sandakan, Sabah.

Initially, eight victims were kidnapped. However, three were freed by the kidnappers, while one died when the kidnappers engaged in a firefight with Armed Forces of the Philippines troops in Sulu.

Another Indonesian fisherman, on the other hand, was separated from the kidnappers when their boat capsized.

"Manhunt operations for other members of this terror group is being done by the police operatives in coordination with our Army counterparts to end their criminal activities in Mindanao,” Eleazar said.

Police said both Jakari and Salasim are now under the custody of police for documentation and further investigation. — DVM, GMA News