2 ASGs nabbed in Zambo City

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Two members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), who are both facing several counts of criminal charges for kidnapping with illegal detention, were arrested by the police in this city last Saturday morning.

Police Director for Zamboanga peninsula Chief Supt. Billy Beltran said the two notorious members of the ASG who have been hiding in this city were arrested during a joint police and military operation conducted in the Muslim village of Mariki at around 8 a.m.

Beltran identified the arrested ASG as Isa TantariSampangalias “Abu Sonny” also known as “Abu Abubakar” and Paisar Aktub Sampang also know as “Jaber.”

Abu Sonny was charged for the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention penalized under article 267 of the Revise Penal Code cc# 3432, 3551, 3552, 3566, 3567, 3569, and 3570 (7 counts) issued by Leo Jay T. Principe, presiding judge of RTC 9, 9th Judicial Region, Branch 1, Isabela City dated January 28, 2008 while Jaber was charged for the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom docketed under criminal case number 128923-h, a to e (6 count) issued by Toribio Ilao, National Capital Judicial Region, RTC, Branch 266, Pasig City dated November 5, 2009.

Abu Sonny worked under the leadership of the late ASG commander Isnilon Hapilon and was involved in the kidnapping of 15 plantation workers at Golden Harvests plantation, located at Barangay Tairan, Lantawan in Basilan province last June 11, 2001.

Jaber was one of the followers of Radulan Sahiron. He was allegedly involved in the abduction of several Jehovah’s Witness members in Sulu last August 2, 2002.

They were arrested based oninformation they received from the witnessed who is now under the witness protection and security benefit program (WPSBP) of the Department of Justice. (Nonoy E. Lacson)