ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Authorities arrested a suspected Abu Sayyaf bandit who was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Jolo, Sulu on Saturday.
Two of Kadaffy Kamsa’s companions managed to escape as a team of police intelligence operatives tracked him down at the Integrated Provincial Health Hospital in Barangay Asturias.
Badong Kamsa and Nixon Manda escaped after sensing the arrival of the police officers, according to Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, chief of the Joint Task Group Sulu.
Arrojado said Kamsa and his companions have been tagged in several kidnappings.
He said the suspect figured in a vehicular accident and was confined at the hospital for treatment of injuries.
The police and military forces have been monitoring hospitals for the possible presence of Abu Sayyaf bandits wounded in encounters with government security forces.
The military has tightened the security on medical practitioners who might be snatched by the bandits to help treat their wounded comrades in the jungles. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe