3 suspected members of Abu Sayyaf face inquest

THREE SUSPECTED members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were brought to the Department of Justice (DoJ) to undergo inquest proceedings on rebellion complaint against them.

Salip Ismael Abdulla, Isa Ukang, and a 17-year- old male whose name was requested withheld by their counsels at the Public Attorney’s Office ( PAO) are facing rebellion raps filed by the Office of the Command Judge Advocate of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Western Mindanao Command (AFPWestMinCom).

The three waived their rights for a preliminary investigation on the complaints against them. The DoJ, through Assistant State Prosecutor George H. Yarte, Jr., ruled to wrap up the probe and submit the case for resolution.

Mr. Yarte gave the PAO until 10:00 a.m. today to present the birth certificate of the youngest arrested to prove his claim that he is a minor.

The three were arrested by members of the military last Aug. 10 at about 4:00 a.m.

An encounter between members of the Philippine Marines and 30 fully armed members of the ASG ensued in the village of Pang in Kalingalan Caluang, Sulu.

The government forces were then conducting an operation when they were engaged in a firefight with the bandit group.

Five members of the bandit group were killed in the operation, while two members of the government forces were killed and one was wounded.

Several firearms and guns were also seized by the military and brought to the DoJ.