Twins from terrorist-linked gang surrender in Zamboanga Sibugay

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Twin brothers, whose notorious criminal gang is affiliated with the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups, surrendered Tuesday in an island town off Zamboanga Sibugay.

 

The suspects were identified as Hussein Parail Abbas and his twin brother Hassan Parail Abbas, both of Talusan town, Olutanga Island and alleged members of the Itting Abba criminal group, according to Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, spokesperson of Police Regional Office 9.

 

According to Senior Superintendent Nestor Tiempo, acting provincial police director of Zamboanga Sibugay, said the twins surrendered to the Talusan police station Tuesday afternoon in response to law enforcement and manhunt operations by the PRO-9 police units.

 

Tiempo said the Abbas twins, who have pending warrants of arrest for robbery and homicide, were accompanied by local officials when they surrendered to the police.

 

He said the Itting Abba criminal group is involved in sea piracy, extortion and drugs. The group operates across Zamboanga Sibugay province.

 

Tiempo said the same group is allegedly affiliated with the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups.

 

The twins are in the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Police Office and will go through tactical interrogation.