Eleazar: Arrested Abu Sayyaf in Sulu is active non-uniformed PNP personnel

An active non-uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who turned out to be a finance officer of the Abu Sayyaf was arrested in Jolo, PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar said over the weekend.

In a statement issued Sunday, the PNP said police intelligence operatives arrested Masckur Adoh Patarasa or Makong/Omair Sali Taib, a brother-in-law of the late Isnilon Hapilon, in Barangay Asturias on Friday.

On Monday, Eleazar said he directed the Internal Affairs Service to fast-track the dismissal proceedings against Patarasa.

The PNP will further investigate to determine if there are other PNP personnel involved with the Abu Sayyaf.

Logistics liaison officer

Eleazar said Patarasa is assigned at Banguingui Municipal Police Station, but the PNP discovered that he was a finance/logistics liaison officer of Dawla Islamiya/Abu Sayyaf.

He added that the suspect was also included in the Martial Law Arrest Order No. 1 during the Marawi Siege in 2017.

Based on police records, Patarasa, with an unidentified individual linked with the Abu Sayyaf, planned sending funds to the rebels fighting in Marawi City through Isnilon in May 2017.

Patarasa reportedly joined the Abu Sayyaf in 2001 under Khadaffy Janjalani in Basilan and later shifted to the rebel group’s senior leader Radullan Sahiron in Sulu, according to Eleazar.

Patarasa was also known to have direct contact with Jemaah Islamiyah operative Amin Baco or Guro Jihad and other Abu Sayyaf personalities, Eleazar added.

He also allegedly received funds from Almaida Salvin, a designated terrorist included in the US Treasury’s sanctions list who was arrested in April 2019 for illegal possession of explosives through Merhama Sawari, who was neutralized in the Parañaque City shootout with three suspected terrorists in June 2020.

“I commend our units here in Region 9 as well as other units involved in the arrest of this person, your action is a reflection of our campaign to keep the organization free from persons with ill motives,” Eleazar said. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News