Suspected terrorist arrested in Valenzuela

Operatives from the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), arrested a suspected terrorist in a joint operation last Saturday night in Valenzuela City.

Northern Police District (NPD) director Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil said Ali Ambing, an alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf Group, was arrested at his apartment at 219 M. Linuttia street in Barangay Arkong Bato.

Ambing was with two other men when police and military operatives stormed the apartment unit at around 6:30 p.m.

Ambing’s companions were able to elude arrest.

Bataoil said Ambing has a warrant of arrest for various charges, including 21 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 182.

Police and military operatives seized from the suspect PNP and Marine uniforms, materials used in making improvised explosives, and several photos of suspected Abu Sayyaf Group bombers.

Ambing has also been tagged as an accomplice in bomb attacks in Mindanao, including one in Malagutay, Zamboanga City, where two Americans were among the fatalities.

Intelligence sources said Ambing has also been linked to the recent bomb attack on Fort del Pilar in Zamboanga, the Super Ferry bombing and the Valentine’s Day bus bombing in Makati City.

The suspect is now undergoing tactical interrogation at an unnamed military facility.

The NPD intelligence and investigation division is closely coordinating with the military intelligence service in conducting follow-up operations for the possible identification and capture of Ambing’s two companions.

Bataoil also ordered the four Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) police chiefs to hasten their intelligence gathering within their areas of responsibility to assist in the hunt for the two suspects.