Police nab suspected Abu Sayyaf hit man

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A suspected Abu Sayyaf assassin was arrested by local police here while trying to secure a passport inside a consular office on Monday, police authorities said.

The suspect was identified as Usman Pilinsa, 21, a native of Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.

Investigation disclosed that Pilinsa was nabbed inside Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office after authorities were alerted of the latter’s presence.

Pilinsa has a pending warrant of arrest issued by the Isabela Regional Trial Court for murder and no bail bond was recommended.

The suspect was tagged in the gunslaying of businesswoman Haji Aida Kandaying last year.

A relative of Kandaying who was also inside the DFA office saw and recognized Pilinsa and alerted the police.

The victim’s relative alleged that Pilinsa was a member of the Abu Sayyaf group and a gun-for-hire assassin.

Police have locked up Pilinsa and placed him under interrogation to determine the accusations lodged against him that he is a member of the Abu Sayyaf group.