Security forces nab Abu Sayyaf bandit near Zambo airport

ZAMBOANGA City, Philippines - Joint police and military security intelligence units captured an Abu Sayyaf militant on Monday near the vicinity of Zamboanga Internal Airport in this city.

The suspect identified as Muktar Ladjaperma also known with the aliases of Muktar, Tuan, Muks, and Ustadz Muktar, was tagged as a member of the Abu Sayyaf urban terror group (UTG), which is trained in bomb-making and assassinations.

Armed with a warrant of arrest issued by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court, joint police and military teams arrested Ladjaperma at around 9:40 a.m. near the airport.

The suspect is facing charges for the kidnapping of six members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses on August 2002 in Patikul, Sulu.

The eight victims were selling cosmetic products when they were seized by the militants. The two male victims were subsequently beheaded.

Further police investigation disclosed that Ladjaperma is carrying a P600,000 bounty for his arrest.

The capture of Ladjaperma came barely a few days when the US government issued a travel warning on the Philippines, particularly in parts of Western Mindanao, including this city, due to alleged terror threats.

The suspect is currently undergoing interrogation at the Regional Intelligence Division 9.