Another suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group wanted for kidnapping in Sulu in 2002 and other crimes was arrested in Taguig City, police said on Friday.
Southern Police District director P/Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg identified the 31-years old suspect as Fahad Alih Dumayag, who uses the alias “Rustom” and “Abu Cola.”
Dumayag was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted late last month by joint elements of the SPD Drug Enforcement Unit, Intelligence Division, Mobile Force Battalion, and Taguig Police Sub-Station 7.
Seized from the suspect were 12 grams of shabu worth P81,600, a grenade, and one rifle grenade.
“In the custodial debriefing made by DID together with members of the JTF-NCR (Joint Task Force-National Capital Region), and revelation of the confidential informant, it was established that the arrested drug suspect was indeed a member of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group under the group of Espilon Hapilon, Jamiri, and Undanan,” Macaraeg said.
“The group was involved in the kidnapping of members of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Lamitan Siege wherein they took over a hospital and a church in June 2001. They also held priests and medical staff of St. Peter,” Macaraeg said.
Dumayag admitted he was a member of Abu Sayyaf Group and claimed that he is a follower and a fanatic of the extremist organization.
“A victim-witness physically identified Abu Cola as one of her kidnappers and a member of the Abu Sayyaf,” Macaraeg said.
In July last year, two colleagues of Dumayag were also arrested in Taguig.
A composite team from the National Capital Region Police Office, Southern Police District and Taguig City Police arrested Taupik Galbun also known as “Pa Wahid”, and Saik Galbun, alias “Pa Tanda” in Barangay Upper Bicutan.
The authorities made the arrest by virtue of a warrant issued by Pasig City Regional Trial Court Judges Toribio Ilao Jr. and Judge Nicanor A. Manalo Jr.
SPD officials said Galbun is being hunted for six counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention with ransom. Saik was also wanted for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom.