Troops arrest 4 suspected ASG bandits in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The government troops have arrested four suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) as offensive continues in the hinterlands of Sulu, a top military official disclosed Saturday.Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, identified the suspects as Al-Majir Jajiri, 27 Salip Tamad Sakirin, 31 Bagin Hamsi, 28 and, Pola Jumadil, 49.Arrojado said the suspects were arrested around 9:45 a.m. Saturday in Sitio Puti Sapah, Barangay Buhanginan, Patikul, Sulu.Arrojado said the suspects were detained and placed under investigation to ascertain their real identities since Jajiri and Sakirin claimed to be village watchmen (barangay tanods) of Barangay Kabbon Takas, Patikul.He said the troops have recovered from the possession of Jumadil two identification cards (ID) bearing two different names.He said an ID issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) indicated her name is Pola Jumadil while a voter’s ID showed she is Ahajani Pula Amilussin.He noted the suspects were arrested near the clash site between the Scout Rangers and ASG brigands led by Radullan Sahiron on Thursday afternoon in Barangay Buhanginan, Patikul. The presence of same (people) at the operational area especially near ASG harbor and encounter sites and considering the ongoing operations and fire missions and their place of residence is questionable,” Arrojado said.The government troops have launched focused military operations (FMO) targeting the senior leaders of the ASG brigands as well as their foreign cohorts in Sulu.Arrojao said they have coordinated with the police for further investigation.He said the suspects will remain in detention until such time that their identities are validated.”