ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police arrested two people, including an alleged Abu Sayyaf bandit, and seized bomb-making components along the highway in this city’s eastern coast, police officials said Wednesday.
Chief Insp. Hazel Fernandez, Police Station 4 chief, identified the alleged Abu Sayyaf bandit as Abdurasad Adjail, 55, who carries the aliases of Sahibul, Sailani and Salip Utoh.
Fernandez said Adjail’s companion was identified as Evelyn Fernandez, 60, a resident of Barangay Sta. Maria, this city.
Police said Fernandez was released after they failed to establish her connection with Adjail.
Fernandez said Adjail and Fernandez were arrested aboard a passenger van in a checkpoint around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Culianan, this city.
Their arrest came after the police received report that they boarded a passenger van in the town of Tungawan in Zamboanga Sibugay en route to this city.
Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) director, said the arresting team recovered bomb-making components from the suspects.
Police said there is a high possibility the suspects have knowledge in bomb-making based on the materials recovered from them.
Fernandez said Adjail has standing warrant of arrest for seven-count kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by a court in Isabela City, Basilan.
Adjail is allegedly involved in the June 11, 2001 kidnapping of 15 workers from the Golden Harvest Plantation in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan province. Abu Sayyaf bandits beheaded five of the hostages while the remaining 10 have either escaped or rescued by pursuing military forces. (With Reports from Ely E. Dumaboc/PNA)
