By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Two wanted Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members who have been hiding for over two decades were arrested in separate police operations in Metro Manila, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Thursday.
In a statement, NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said the first wanted Abu Sayyaf member was arrested while he was on his way out of a construction site in Binondo, Manila, at around 10:30 p.m. on May 11.
The other ASG member, he said, was collared at around 11 p.m. on the same day while playing basketball near his residence along Alcoy Street, Barangay Bagong Pag-Asa in Quezon City.
Aberin said the arrest was based on the arrest warrant issued by a court in Basilan for a case of kidnapping and serious illegal detention that stemmed from the abduction of 15 plantation workers in Lantawan town on June 11, 2001.
“For over two decades, these identified ASG members hid behind false identities and sought refuge in our communities, but through our program against fugitives, we have proven that no criminal, no terrorist, can escape the long arm of the law,” Aberin said.
“This mission reflects our strengthened intelligence efforts, our solid partnerships with allied units, and our unwavering resolve to safeguard our people from terrorism. Justice may have been delayed, but today, it was delivered.”
During their arrest and subsequent verification process, one suspect presented a fake national ID while the other submitted a forged National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance to hide their identities.
“These deceptive acts further reinforced the reliability of the sworn identification provided by the victim-witness and confirmed the fugitives’ ongoing efforts to evade justice,” Aberin said.
The suspects are now in police custody as the return of the warrant of arrest is being prepared, and a commitment order from the issuing court. (PNA)
