‘Bandit’ nabbed in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — An alleged Abu Sayyaf bandit was arrested by government security forces following a raid in a coastal village in this city before dawn yesterday.

Merham Tulawi Nasalon, 22, is reportedly a follower of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Marzn Ajijul, according to Zamboanga regional police director Brig. Gen. Ronaldo Genaro Ylagan.

Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-9 (CIDG-9), local police and troopers from the Army’s 74th Infantry Battalion arrested Nasalon at around 1:40 a.m at his safehouse in sitio Niyog-niyog, Barangay Muti.

The raid was based on a search warrant issued against Nasalon for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The raiding team recovered from Nasalon a pistol, ammunition and a bag containing identification cards. He was placed under the custody of the CIDG-9.