Authorities now have in their custody eight suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits captured in Sabah earlier this month, the military said Sunday.
The Malaysian Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) handed over the alleged kidnap-for-ransom group leaders and their supporters to the Philippine Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) last Friday.
They were then transported to Sulu for presentation to Joint Task Force Sulu Commander Maj. Gen. William Gonzales and to the Sulu Provincial Police.
Col. Hernanie Songano, commander of 4th Marine Brigade and Naval Task Group Sulu, said the bandits will be subjected to COVID-19 testing and quarantine protocols.
According to the military, hee following were arrested on May 8 in Jalan Taman Sri Arjuna, Beaufort, Sabah: ASG Sub-Leader Sansibar Bensio, Firdaus Omar, Munimar Binda, Ladin Mujahirin Faizal, Hamzah Faizal, Sansis Mohammad, Halim Akhir, and Yusuf Akram.
Wesmincom commander Lt. Gen. Vinluan Jr. said in a statement: “Based on reports from the ground, said ASG personalities have already established community cell in the squatter area in Jalan Taman Sri Arjuna, wherein most of the residents therein are their relatives/family members.”
Bensio and the late ASG sub-leader Mabar Binda were planning to conduct kidnapping activities in Sabah but were preempted following a “successful conduct of special police operation against the group in Beaufort, Sabah,” according to the Wesmincom.
“With our unique partnership comes great and significant endeavors. Our intelligence collaboration works, and this is a manifestation of a successful anti-terrorism drive with our neighbors,” said Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, commander of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi and 2nd Marine Brigade.