ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A suspected Abu Sayyaf bandit was arrested in Sulu on Wednesday.
Norham Bagadi, alias Abu Sayning, was collared by personnel of the 6th Infantry Battalion and Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas in Barangay Langpas, Indanan at around 9 a.m.
He is reportedly a cousin of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Adin, also surnamed Bagadi.
Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said Bagadi’s arrest came a day after the suspect and his cohorts raided Barangay Langpas.
Three villagers were killed and several others were wounded in the attack.
Bagadi reportedly yielded a handgun, ammunition and bomb materials.
He was turned over to the custody of the police for the filing of charges.
Additional battalions were deployed in Sulu as the military intensifies its operations to finish off the Abu Sayyaf and rescue its remaining hostages.
Eleven persons, including four foreigners, remain in the hands of the bandits.