Lawmen arrest convicted Abu Sayyaf in Zambo City

The Black Standard of ISIL, flag that was adopted by Abu Sayyaf
(Wikipedia photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government operatives have arrested a convicted member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in an east coast barangay of this city, a top police official announced Friday.

Chief Supt. Miguel Antonio Jr., Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) director, identified the arrested ASG member as Toh Ventura Abdilla alias Toh Abdulla Abdulla of Barangay Landang Laum, Sacol Island, this city.

Antonio said Abdilla was arrested around 10:25 a.m. Friday during a law enforcement operation in Campung Landang Laun Drive, Barangay Arena Blanco, 9.26 kilometers east of City Hall.

The arrest of Abdilla came after Antonio ordered the intensified the campaign against the ASG and wanted persons here in the region.

Antonio said Regional Trial Court Branch 12 Judge Gregorio Dela Peña last January 18 sentenced Abdilla in absentia for a period of four years and two months for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

He said the arresting team recovered from Abdilla’s possession several subversive documents, one fragmentation grenade and a motorboat propeller.

He said Abdilla was temporarily detained at the lock-up cell of Police Station 11.

Abdilla has denied that he is a member of the ASG. He said he is a seaweed farmer.

Abdilla said he went to Barangay Arena Blanco to have his motorboat repaired.