Abu bandit captured in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Government security forces arrested a suspected Abu Sayyaf bandit tagged in a mass kidnapping in Basilan following a raid in this city on Saturday.

Arasid Julayli Udjarin, alias Badz Basilan, was arrested shortly after midnight in Barangay Bolong, according to Chief Inspector Rogelio Alabata, information officer of the Police Regional Office 9.

Alabata said members of the city police Station 3, Regional Public Safety Battalion, Regional Intelligence Division and Philippine Air Force cornered Udjarin at about 12:50 a.m. in Sitio Panzulan.

He said Udjarin has a standing arrest warrant issued by Basilan Judge Leo Jay Principe for kidnapping with serious illegal detention.

The case against Udjarin stemmed from his involvement in the kidnapping of seven plantation farmers in Lantawan town in 2001.

Udjarin’s capture came more than a week after the same group of operatives arrested another suspected bandit, Basir Kadir Juljani alias Abu Omar, on the same charges. Juljani was arrested in Barangay Sangali in this city.

Both suspects were committed to the city jail, Alabata said.

12 troopers hurt in blast

Meanwhile, 12 soldiers were wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded as they were clearing an abandoned Abu Sayyaf camp in Al-Barka, Basilan yesterday.

The military said the operation was part of the weeklong military offensives launched against the bandits, which have left 29 dead, including three soldiers and 26 militants.

Maj. Felimon Tan Jr., spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said the Army and Marine troopers arrived at the camp in Barangay Macalang before dawn.

“The wounded soldiers were immediately evacuated,” Tan said.

He said the camp was fortified with 28 structures, including 10 bunkers, that could accommodate 10 to 15 persons each.