8 Sayyaf members nabbed in Sabah, turned over to authorities

Eight Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) personalities who were arrested in a special police operation in Beaufort, Sabah have been turned over to Philippine authorities, the Western Mindanao Command said on Saturday.

In a statement, Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), identified the Sulu-Based ASG personalities as Sansibar Bensio, ASG Sub-Leader; Firdaus Omar; Munimar Binda; Ladin Mujahirin Faizal; Hamzah Faizal; Sansis Mohammad; Halim Akhir; and Yusuf Akram.

They were turned over by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) to the Sulu Provincial Police in Great Bakungan (Malaki), Taganak, Tawi Tawi on Friday morning.

Vinluan said the eight ASG personalities were nabbed on May 8, 2021, in Jalan Taman Sri Arjuna in Beaufort, through the combined efforts of the ESSCOM and WestMinCom.

“Based on reports from the ground, said ASG personalities have already established community cell in the squatter area in Jalan Taman Sri Arjuna wherein most of the residents therein are their relatives/family members,” Vinluan said.

According to the WestMinCom commander, Bensio, and members Muayyar Binda and Lugah Sanchez are Eastern Sulu-based ASG and were involved in numerous encounters with marine forces at Bud Bawis Complex, Panamao.

Bensio and Mabar Binda were allegedly planning to conduct kidnapping activities in Sabah but were foiled by authorities in Sabah.

Friday of the same day, the said ASG personalities were transported to Sulu for the presentation to Joint Task Force Sulu Commander Major General William Gonzales and to the Sulu Provincial Police Director.

“They will be subjected to COVID-19 testing and quarantine protocols which will be facilitated by the IATF Sulu prior to the filing of appropriate charges,” said Naval Task Group Sulu/4th Marine Brigade commander Col. Hernanie Songano. -MDM, GMA News