AFP secures Cotabato City, Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines  – The Army’s 6th Infantry Division fielded more soldiers around Cotabato City and the surrounding towns in Maguindanao yesterday to prevent possible sympathy attacks by the supporters of a suspected Malaysian terrorist arrested in Davao del Sur last week.

Abdul Azis Usman, was arrested by combined Navy and Immigration operatives during his wedding Saturday at a mosque in Kalagan in the town of Sta. Cruz.

Immigration reports said 50-year-old Usman was suspected to be working as a finance officer for Jemaah Islamiyah, which has links to the Abu Sayyaf.

Usman, who reportedly failed to present legal documents of his stay in the country, was arrested while he was about to marry a Filipina in Muslim rites at a mosque in Barangay Inawayan.

Authorities said Usman was monitored to be actively advocating the cause and teachings of the late Osama bin Laden among local Muslims. Arrested along with Usman was his aide Omar Abu, also believed to be a Malaysian.

Col. Prudencio Asto, public affairs chief of 6th ID, said their commander, Brig. Gen. Rey Ardo, had tasked local religious and political leaders to help them monitor the activities of Usman’s suspected cohorts in Central Mindanao.