Police nab Abu Sayyaf logistics officer

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested an alleged logistics officer of the Abu Sayyaf Group involved in six kidnapping incidents, including attack in Sipadan, Malaysia and the kidnapping of American Jeffrey Schilling in 2000.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said the arrest of Mujibar Alih Amon, 26, logistics officer of Abu Sayyaf Group Commander Radullan Sahiron, was part of the police intensified effort to account individuals wanted by the law.

“I am very pleased to announce the arrest of another member of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group who is wanted by the law for involvement in a string of heinous criminal activities in Mindanao,” Verzosa said. “We are very grateful that a civilian informant provided vital information that led to the arrest of this wanted terrorist suspect.”

The PNP chief with Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Director Raul Castañeda turned over the reward money of P600,000 to the hooded civilian informant.

Verzosa said Amon, alias Bongbong, Khatab, Pappong and Appong was arrested by a joint team of the PNP Intelligence Group and Special Action Force over the weekend in Umbul Qura Village, Barangay Buansa in Indanan, Sulu.

“Amon is an active member of the Urban Terrorist Group (UTG) of the Abu Sayyaf,” he said. “At the time of his arrest, Amon was the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Toribio Ilao, of RTC Branch 266 of Pasig City for six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom,” he added.

Reward

Based on records, a joint order from the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of National Defense has offered P600,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

According to Senior Superintendent Frank Villacorta, deputy chief of the Intelligence Unit, Amon was responsible in the IED explosion along Airport Road in Jolo, Sulu on Dec. 3, 2003 that killed two military bomb squad personnel.

Amon was also tagged as responsible for the kidnapping of six members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and their Muslim guide in Patikul, Sulu on Aug. 20, 2002 wherein two of the victims were beheaded.

Police also identified Amon as the person who received the P500,000 ransom for the release of kidnap victim Marilyn Chu who was held hostage at the camp of Sahiron in Patikul, Sulu sometime in October 2001.

Investigators also linked Amon as among ASG members who kidnapped 19 foreigners and two Filipinos from a dive resort in Sipadan, Malaysia on April 23, 2000.

“Amon is also allegedly involved in the kidnapping of American Jeffrey Schilling in January 2000 and the killing of two Army personnel in Km 20, Patikul, Sulu in 2003.

Amon has been flown to Manila and will undergo procedural processing before he is presented to judicial authorities at the Regional Trial Court of Pasig City.     – With AP