4 Abu Sayyaf terrorists to undergo preliminary probe on April 24

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to conduct a preliminary investigation of four suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) on April 24.

Acting Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said that during inquest proceedings held last Wednesday before Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Olive Torrevillas, the suspects decided to undergo preliminary investigation and signed a waiver of the provisions of Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code that penalizes delay in the delivery of a detained person to the proper judicial authorities.

The suspects were identified as Jainab Ibrahim, 29; Khadeeja Tawasil Jainal, 24; Abdurrafi Jalas Danial, 28; and Fatma Musa Narimen, 45.

The four were brought for inquest by the Major Crimes Investigation Unit of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation

Group (PNP-CIDG) which filed the complaint, accusing them of illegal possession of explosives in violation of Republic Act 9516.

The four suspects are currently detained at the PNP-CIDG in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

The PNP said the four were arrested Tuesday morning in Barangay Talabaan in Zamboanga City.

Armed with a search warrant, the PNP found in the possession of the suspects two fragmentation grenades; a nine-volt battery with a switch; an eco bag containing white granules suspected to be ammonium nitrate; a timer with wire; several wires with alligator clip; concrete nails; two non-electric blasting caps with a safety cover; and, identification cards.

Police disclosed that the suspects are followers of ASG sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and are being utilized by the ASG for their financial transactions, procurement, and transportation of firearms and explosives, and the facilitation of recruitment and travel of foreign fighters to the Philippines.