Bandits in bird watchers’ kidnap nabbed in Sabah

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Eight Abu Sayyaf bandits including two subleaders tagged in the kidnapping of European bird watchers and Indonesians have been arrested in Sabah, Malaysia, security officials said yesterday.

Reports received by Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr. said the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) launched a special police operation in Jalan Taman Sri Arjuna, Beaufort before dawn on Saturday and arrested the suspects.

Sabah authorities launched the operation based on information provided by the Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS). 

Among those arrested were Abu Sayyaf subleaders Sansibar Bensio and Mabar Binda as well as their followers Muayyar Binda, Sansis, Firdaus, Bonijar Samsula, Lugah Sanchez and Alim Sukarno.

Bensio and Binda reportedly led the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers based in the eastern and second districts of Sulu, according to JTFS chief Maj. Gen. William Gonzales.

Mabar succeeded his slain father, Abu Sayyaf subleader Hatib Munap Binda.

Bensio and Binda were tagged in the kidnapping of European bird watchers Lorenzo Vinciguerra and Ewold Horn as well as of Indonesians Samiun Bin Maneu, Maharudin Bin Lunani and Muhammad Farhan.

“They also kidnapped at least 10 locals, who were either natives of Sulu or residents of nearby provinces. They took their captives to Sulu and demanded ransom from the families of the victims,” Gonzales said. 

He said the suspects figured in several encounters with government troopers including the February 2018 firefight at Bay Sunog in Bud Bawis Complex that resulted in the death of five bandits.

Another encounter in December 2019 in Sitio Jatih, Bud Bawis Complex resulted in the rescue of two Indonesian captives and death of kidnap leader Hairulla Abduraja.

In November 2020, an encounter at Bay Takas in the same area resulted in the death of Bensio and Binda’s fathers.

“They were involved in a series of clashes with the military including in July 2011 in Sitio Barangay Panglayahan, Patikul town, where 2/Lt. Michael Baladad of the Philippine Marines was decapitated,” Gonzales said.

Vinluan described the arrest of the suspects as a major blow to the Abu Sayyaf bandit group.

He attributed the success of the operation to the intensified intelligence operations and close coordination between the military and the ESSCOM.

Vinluan lauded the JTFS and ESSCOM for preventing the terrorists from launching terror activities in Sabah.