ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government operatives have arrested in a law enforcement operation an Abu Sayyaf bandit in this southern port city, the police announced Monday.
Police Brig. Gen. Ronaldo Genaro Ylagan, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) director, said Merham Tulawi Nasalon, 22, an alleged Abu Sayyaf bandit, was arrested around 1:40 a.m. Sunday in Sitio Niyog-Niyog, Barangay Muti, this city.
Ylagan said that the joint police and military forces carried out the law enforcement operation by way of serving a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, issued by a local court against Nasalon.
Ylagan said seized from Nasalon’s hideout were a caliber .45 pistol with ammunition, gun parts for caliber .45 pistol and M-16 Armalite rifle, and assorted identified cards (IDs).
He said that Nasalon, a follower of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Marzan Ajijul, was placed under the custody of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-9 (CIDG-9).
Meanwhile, Ylagan has ordered the police to strengthen security and intelligence operations in this city and nearby areas amid the health pandemic. – Nikolai Gonzalo
