Most notorious Abu, seven lawless elements nabbed

An old file photo of alleged Abu Sayyaf. TNRS

MAS YAHYA

Marawi City, Philippines

March 31, 2017A notorious member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and seven members of a lawless group including its leader, were arrested in intensified conduct of law enforcement operations of the military and police in Western Mindanao, a militaryreport said.

A press dispatch to The New Ranao Star said that elements of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Zamboanga and the Zamboanga City Police Office arrested Abu Sayyaf member Amilton Tammang, a.k.a Nonoy or Dondon, at the port area of Zamboanga City at 7am Thursday,  March 30. 

Reports from the JTF Zamboanga said Tammang, 29, and a resident of Barangay Liang, Patikul, Sulu, was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for murder and frustrated murder. 

The reports further disclosed that Tammang was spotted by a concerned citizen who immediately notified the authorities. 

The subject is a notorious member of the ASG Ajang-Ajang group operating in Jolo, Sulu. He is tagged in the harassment of a construction company in Barangay Liang, Patikul, Sulu in 2016 where a construction worker was beheaded. 

At 10am yesterday (March 30), Tammang was turned over to the Zamboanga City Police Office for documentation, proper disposition, and legal procedure. 

Meanwhile, pursuit launched by the TG Panther of the Joint Task Force Sulu and personnel of the Omar Municipal Police Station led to the arrest of seven members of a lawless group, including its leader, in Barangay Capual, Omar, Sulu last Wednesday (March 29). 

Nabbed were Saudi Hamja, leader of the lawless group, and Pau Kahil Hamja, both of whom have arrest warrants for murder and frustrated murder; Adzmar Omar, Amil Mangcabong, and Ayob Mangcabong, all of whom are charged with Arson; and Jairani Ajirani and Sali Adyhar, both of whom are charged with illegal possession of firearms. 

A member of the said group, identified as Arden Acar, was also killed after initiating the gunfire with the engaging troops at 5:08am last Wednesday (March 29). 

"Pursuit is continuously launched by the Joint Task Force Sulu, in coordination with the police and the local government, to contain the Abu Sayyaf Group and other lawless elements and deny them freedom to conduct atrocities in the province,” said Major General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Commander, Western Mindanao Command. 

"We are closely working with the people of Sulu and the authorities to deter criminalities and work for internal security in the area," MGEN Galvez added. 

The said support to law enforcement operation Wednesday (March 29) also yielded thirty-six high-powered firearms and crew-served weapons recovered belonging to the Lawless group. Said recoveries are now in the custody of the arresting troops for documentation purposes and will be used for the filing of charges.

TNRS