Abu Sayyaf subleader nabbed in Batangas

A sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf group was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during a law enforcement operation in Batangas, according to John Consulta’s “24 Oras Weekend" report on Saturday.

The NBI said the arrested suspect, known by the alias "Abu Assad," was a subordinate of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon who was killed during the attack on Marawi City.

The arrested subleader was allegedly involved in abduction cases and attacks in Mindanao. He has been residing in Batangas for almost two years.

“May kinalaman sa kasong kidnapping with serious illegal detention sa Golden Harvest Plantation kidnapping case kung saan maraming namatay, dalawa ron eh napugutan ng ulo. Bago pa sila makapag-plano ng malaking pag-atake eh naaresto na natin sila,” Lawyer Gregorio Zuñiga, chief NBI – Counter Terrorism Division, said.

(He was involved in a kidnapping case with serious illegal detention at the Golden Harvest Plantation where many died, two were beheaded. Before they could plan a big attack, we arrested them.)

He is currently detained at the NBI detention facility.

“Magba-backtrack tayo sa ibang kasamahan ng ating naaresto para mas maging ligtas ang ating kaPaskuhan at Bagong Taon,” NBI Director Eric Distor said.

(We will backtrack on his other colleagues for us to have a safe Christmas and New Year.)

According to the NBI, the Anti-Terror Act was a big help to their anti-terrorism efforts.

The Supreme Court earlier declared two parts of the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 as unconstitutional following months of oral arguments. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/813912/sc-declares-two-parts-of-anti-terror-law-as-unconstitutional/story/?just_in

President Rodrigo Duterte signed the anti-terror bill into law last July 2020. — Richa Allyssa Noriega/DVM, GMA News