ZAMBOANGA CITY (May 10) — Policemen have arrested another suspected Abu Sayyaf bandit involved in the plantation raid in Basilan more than 16 years ago, an official said Wednesday.
Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, identified the arrested suspect as Langa Jamil Francisco alias Teng, a resident of Barangay Tetuan, this city.
Galvez said Francisco, 52, was arrested in an operation around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Sta. Barbara, this city.
She said Francisco has a standing warrant of arrest for seven counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges issued by a court in Isabela City, Basilan.
Francisco is allegedly involved in the kidnapping.
This developed as another Abusayyaf sub-leader and five others surrendered to Government troops on Wednesady, May 9.
Special operation was conducted by members of Joint Task Force Basilan under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Juvymaxx Uy said individuals also brought with them are six (6) High Powered Firearms to include three (3) M16 Rifles, two (2) M1 Garand Rifles and one (1) M79 Grenade Launcher with assorted magazines and ammunitions.
The surrender of the group was a result of the focused and relentless pursuit operations of the troops of JTF Basilan and persistent government initiatives and inter-agency efforts of the AFP with the dynamic support from Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the Provincial Government of Basilan.
According to the surrendered individuals, they are already tired of running away and evading Government forces, hunger and boredom of being away with their families are also the reasons they stepped out of the Terrorist Group for them to live a normal life together with their love ones.
“We have won several communities that use to support the Abu Sayaff bandits. The Abus are now confined in the hinterlands where they intimidate communities for support” said BGen Juvymax R Uy, Commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan.
“The Abu Sayaffs are not safe in Basilan. We are giving the option for them reconsider peace through surrender while the door is still open” Uy added.-Mirasol Monteza with report from PNA
