Sayyaf logistics couriers, recruiters nabbed in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Four alleged Abu Sayyaf logistics couriers and recruiters of foreigners were arrested in a coastal village in this city on Tuesday.

Jainab Ibrahim, Khadeeja Jainal and Fatima Narimen, wives of sub-leaders of the Abu Sayyaf, and Abdurarafi Danial yielded explosives and bomb materials when police searched their houses in Barangay Talabaan, Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Luis Licup, Zamboanga peninsula police director, said.

Regional Trial Court National Capital Judicial Region, Branch 37 Judge Virgilio Macaraig issued the search warrants.

Aside from facilitating the travel to the Philippines of their foreign recruits, the suspects were also reportedly in charge of the financial transactions as well as the procurement and transportation of firearms and explosives of the Abu Sayyaf. 

They are followers of Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who recently pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

The suspects were brought to Manila yesterday and charged with illegal possession of explosives before the Department of Justice.

They were presented to senior assistant state prosecutor Olive Torrevillas, who conducted inquest proceedings.

Police are investigating if the suspects were planning to launch attacks before they were arrested.

In Sulu, Aldie Wajid another follower of Sawadjaan, was arrested in Sitio Kan Bading, Barangay Taung, Patikul at around 7:10 a.m.

Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said a caliber .45 pistol, rounds of ammunition and two rolls of electrical wire were recovered from the suspect. 

Meanwhile, Besana said the number of Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in military operations since last week has increased to 13.

He said Scout Rangers recovered the remains of a bandit in Sitio Hagas-hagas, Barangay Pangkayahan also in Patikul at around 8 a.m. yesterday.

Besana said the fatality could be among those wounded in gunfights with soldiers which started on April 11. – With Emmanuel Tupas, Edu Punay