AFP aids BJMP in transporting 17 ASG bandits to Manila

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20): AFP aids BJMP in transporting 17 ASG bandits to Manila

The Armed Forces of the Philippines announced that it has provided a Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft and security personnel to facilitate the transfer of 17 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) detainees in Zamboanga City to Manila on Friday.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, AFP public affairs office chief, said that the aircraft and security personnel were requested by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in line with its efforts to remove possible security threats in their Zamboanga City detention facility.

An attempt to sprint out the detainees were foiled by authorities early this year.

The 17 ASGs were flown due to reports that they will be freed from their Zamboanga City detention facility by their fellow brigands who are still-at-large.

Cabunoc said that detained bandits, upon arrival at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City Friday, were quickly transported to more secured BJMP detention facility in Taguig City.

Most of the 17 ASGs flown to Manila are facing kidnapping, murder, frustrated murder and other criminal charges.

Cabunoc said that the AFP is not anticipating any security threats in Metro Manila with the arrival of the 17 brigands as they are now being held in more heavily guarded facility with tighter security protocols.

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