29 suspected Abu bandits nabbed

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 21): 29 suspected Abu bandits nabbed

Troops belonging to the Joint Task Force Sulu announced on Wednesday the arrest of 29 suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members in a raid in the province of Sulu.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the suspects were arrested around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul municipality.

Sobejana said that four of the 29 suspects were positively identified as member of the ASG by victims witnesses of kidnapping incidents.

Sobejana disclosed they have been receiving reports that those involved in the kidnappings and other atrocities were hiding in Baranga Bangkal, Patikul, Sulu.

He said among the kidnapping incident they were involved was that of Denery Tan, nine, who was kidnapped on June 6 in Barangay San Raymundo, Jolo.

The Abu Sayyaf bandits freed Tan on Monday in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul, after the victim’s family reportedly paid PhP200,000 ransom.

Sobejana said the raid was carried out a day after government forces have figured in a firefight with suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul.

“There was no exchange of fire that occurred during the raid,” Sobejana said citing the suspects did not resisted.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/996727