ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Two members of the Abu Sayyaf group, one of them wanted for Sipadan kidnapping and with P5.3-million bounty, were arrested Friday night near the downtown, according to security official.
The police intelligence unit also seized from the suspects high explosive materials, said Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran, director of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO).
Beltran identified the captured suspects as Abdul-latip Suwaling Talanghati alias Latip Sihata or Tatang, 64; and Albasrie Sata Talanghati alias Tagalog or Abu Tarik, both from Luuk, Tungkil, in Sulu province.
Beltran said Abdul-latip, with P5.3-million bounty, was reported to be involved in the 2000 Sipadan kidnapping where the militant group abducted and brought to Sulu 19 foreigners and two Filipinos.
According to Beltran, operatives from the Regional Intelligence Division and Regional Special Operations Group 9 (RSOG) led by Superintendent Ferjen Torred, arrested the two suspects about 9:30 p.m. Friday in a safehouse near the Land Transportation Office (LTO) regional office in Barangay Sta. Barbara.
The arresting intelligence units also recovered from the possession of the suspects a pound of high explosive Trinitrotoluene (TNT), detonating cord and time fuse.
The explosives were immediately turned over to the explosive ordnance and disposal (EOD) unit for proper disposition while the suspects were placed under tactical interrogation and will be handed over to the proper court.
The arrest of the two suspects came barely five days after the raiding police units caught three Abu Sayyaf members who plotted to disrupt the observance of the month-long Feast of the Pilar through bombing.
Col. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Joint Task Force Zamboanga (JTFZ), confirmed they have been receiving information through text about the plan of the group.
He said the validated report led to the arrest of the suspects.