Malaysian terrorist nabbed in Basilan

BASILAN, Philippines – A suspected Malaysian terrorist was recently arrested at a port in Maluso town in this province, an official confirmed on Monday.

“He was about to leave the country. He was seen in the area where there were motorboats plying the southern backdoor,” said Col. Cirilo Donato, 104th Army Brigade commander.

Donato said they tracked down the terrorist, whose identity was witheld, after receiving reports that he was with a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits in Barangay Baguindan in Tipo-Tipo.

He said the suspect is under the custody of the intelligence unit of the military.

Donato said intelligence personnel are still trying to determine if the suspect had trained Abu Sayyaf bandits in bomb making, noting that he yielded an improvised explosive device.

He said the militant was also monitored carrying a flag of the Islamic State during recent encounters between Abu Sayyaf bandits and the military in Barangay Baguindan.

Meanwhile, Donato said they are monitoring the reported presence of two Arab men believed to be hiding with the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan.

As this developed, the military said soldiers are closing in on Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon after 32 of his men had surrendered.

“The surrender of Abu Sayyaf members is good because it makes Hapilon’s area smaller,” said Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo dela Cruz, Western Mindanao Command commander.