ASG brigand nabbed in Sulu operations

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19): ASG brigand nabbed in Sulu operations

Troopers from the 41st Infantry Battalion have arrested a suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorist in Talipao, Sulu early morning Tuesday.

Col. Rodrigo Gregorio, Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu spokesperson, identified the arrested bandit as Pauji Asgari.

Seized from him was an M-16 assault rifle; ammunition, electric cords, combat pack, cellphone, hammock, a motorcycle, and a Marine battle dress attire.

The suspect was arrested 5:00 a.m. Asgari's arrest stemmed from reports of concerned residents who gotten leery of the presence of armed men in their community.

Brig. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, JTF Sulu commander said "the success of the apprehension is due to the cooperation of local residents".

"We expect more ASG to be arrested and more hostages to be rescued with the cooperation of local residents of Sulu. We have seen this in the rescue of Martina Yee, the neutralization of the notorious Muktadil brothers and the recent successful encounters of our troops against the ASG," he added.

The suspect was brought to Camp Bautista Hospital in Jolo for medical check-up and psycho-social processing 6pm Tuesday and was formally turned over to the police in downtown Jolo for filing of appropriate charges at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The focused military operation launched by the Armed Forces of the Philippines since July resulted to the rescue and recovery of 16 hostages while a total of 12 kidnap victims remain to be rescued.

"The relentless combat operation will continue until we deal a crippling blow against the ASG bandits and until all hostages are rescued," Dela Vega stated.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=932615