Lawmen arrest 2 Abu Sayyaf brigands in Zambo City

Abu Sayyaf group (Screengrab from the Institute for the Study of Violent Groups’ video)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Combined police and military operatives have arrested two suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) brigands in this city, the police reported Wednesday.

The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) identified the suspects as a certain Commander Suhod and Abu Haris. Both belong to the Basilan-based ASG.

The ZCPO reported that they were arrested around 8 a.m. Wednesday at the local port after they disembarked from a ferry coming from Isabela City, Basilan province.

The arrest of the suspects came as the police and military strengthened the security measures following threats by the ASG brigands to stage attacks.

The police said the suspects were involved in the kidnapping of 10 workers at the Golden Harvest Plantation in June 2001 in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan.

The ASG killed two of the workers while the rest were either released or rescued during military operations.

The ZCPO said the arrested suspects were turned over to the custody of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) of the police.