By: Francis T. Wakefield
The Philippine Navy through the Naval Forces Western Mindanao Wednesday announced the arrest of six armed men believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) during an operation in Sulu on Monday.
Rear Admiral Rene Medina, Naval Forces Western Mindanao Commander, identified the six as Omar Amping, 39; Gabby S. Juwa, 35; Jadi Luhadi, 21; Alcimel Abdulla, 18; Madi Jalilul, 19; and Sakkam Dekani, 60.
Medina said the six men were apprehended off Bolod Island, Tonquil, Sulu at 8:32 p.m. Monday.
Prior, a commercial fishing vessel raised complaints they were being harassed by armed men on board separate light sea vehicles.
A team of Navy Seals were immediately deployed to conduct Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) against the armed men.
The suspects were eventually sighted 22 nautical miles Northeast off Saluping Island in Basilan also known as the Sibarot fishing grounds.
Following their arrest, the six, who yielded an M16A1 rifle, were subsequently transported to Zamboanga City for proper disposition.
It waslater on revealed Amping is a notorious gun-for-hire ranked fourth most wanted inZamboanga City.