Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: Esscom issues new wanted list, notorious Abu Sayyaf bombmaker among new faces

Friday, January 8, 2021

Esscom issues new wanted list, notorious Abu Sayyaf bombmaker among new faces

From The Daily Express (Jan 6, 2021): Esscom issues new wanted list, notorious Abu Sayyaf bombmaker among new faces (By: Efa Rizan)

LAHAD DATU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) have added five new names, including a notorious Abu Sayyaf bombmaker implicated in suicide bombings in southern Philippines, to their latest wanted list.

ESSCOM Commander, DCP Datuk Ahmad Fuad Othman, in a statement on Wednesday, said a total of 21 persons are on the list updated every six months.

Ahmad Fuad said the new names are Japs @ Mujafar Sawadjaan, Mujimmar Sawadjaan @ Rasad, Mundi Sawadjaan, Wahad @ Talib, and Barah Udong @ Elvin.

Mundi is wanted by Philippine authorities for suspected involvement in the 2019 and 2020 suicide bombings in Jolo, Sulu, that killed dozens including four suicide bombers.

Mundi was also a nephew of Abu Sayyaf leader and Islamic State-Philippines emir Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who the Philippine military said had died of wounds sustained during a clash with troops in July last year.

Hatib Hajan, who was wanted by Esscom for years, has been removed from the latest wanted list. However, his body has yet to be found.

ESSCOM retained 16 names on the list - Apo Mike @ Majan Sahidjuan, Al Munjir Yadah, Salip Mura, Raden Abuh, Marajan @ Manajan Asiri, Sangbas Parisko, Hamsan Pakkan @ Black Cobra, Sabri Madrasul @ Salip Jul, Ben Tatoh Quirino, Jul @ Jun Hassan, Julakasan Abdurajan @ Halimaw, Tampi @ Bunju, Long Sahirin, Haibin Mubin @ Apo Kuhambo, Halipa and Basaron Arok.

"All the suspects are foreigners. Five persons from the previous wanted list have been taken out as three of them were shot dead during battles with [Philippine] security forces, one was detained while another surrendered," he said.

Ahmad Fuad also reminded members of the public to assist security forces by channelling information to ESSCOM's Operation Centre at 089-863 181 / 016 or WhatsApp at 013-880 3585 / 019- 230 5909.