ZAMBOANGA CITY – Alert policemen were able to arrest three members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who were reportedly tasked to hurl grenades during a local celebration here.
Police Regional Office for Zamboanga peninsula (PRO-9) Director Chief Supt. Billy Beltran identified the arrested ASG members as Abdel dela Cruz, 27, of Jolo, Sulu, Jabar Ignohasim, 24 years old of Bus-bus, Jolo, Sulu, and Abdulla Yusup, 27 and a resident of Talipao, Sulu. All three suspects were apprehended at the entrance of Atilano Pension House located at Barangay Canelar St. at about 2:45 p.m. Monday.
Aside from their plan to throw grenades during the observance of Fiesta Pilar along RT Lim Boulevard which is celebrated from October 1 to 15, the trio are also tasked to kidnap a wealthy Filipino-Chinese trader.
The suspects are said to be under Jolo-based Commander Alhapsi Misaya who is involved in several kidnappings of foreign nationals and bombing incidents in Zamboanga City and neighboring provinces.
Accordingly to the police, the three suspects arrived in this city Monday before sunrise on board a passenger vessel “Katrina” and checked in at Salwa Hotel and Atilano’s Pension House. (Nonoy E. Lacson)