Abu Sayyaf sub-leader's wife arrested in Sulu security operation

The wife of a ranking sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group was arrested by authorities in a law enforcement operation in Barangay Bus-Bus in Jolo, Sulu on Saturday.

Joint personnel of Sulu Police Provincial Office, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Philippine National Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal K9 Unit, Special Action Force, and Philippine Army conducted a counter-terrorism operation through service of a warrant of arrest against Mudzimar Sawadjaan, an ASG sub-leader, that resulted in the arrest of his wife Fatima Nasser Anilhusra-Sawadjaan, 28.

Authorities said Sawadjaan and his other cohorts eluded arrest.

Authorities said Sawadjaan is involved in bombing activities and other terror operations in Sulu, while Fatima was allegedly pledging and supporting the said activities.

Seized from Fatima were one MK2 Grenade, two bottles containing suspected ammonium nitrate and fuel oil used both as commercial explosive and in the manufacture of improvised bombs, two pieces of detonating cord, one safety fuse, one mobile phone, and two identification cards.

Fatima is currently under the custody of the Jolo Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.

Fatima will face charges of illegal possession of explosives in violation of Republic Act No. 9516 and for violation of RA 11479, an Act Preventing, Prohibiting, and Penalizing Terrorism. — DVM, GMA News