2 Abu Sayyaf members nabbed in Taguig

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 13, 2021): 2 Abu Sayyaf members nabbed in Taguig (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

Photo courtesy of NCRPO

Authorities nabbed two members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Taguig City, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Tuesday.

NCRPO chief, Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. identified the suspects as Taupik Galbun and Saik Galbun who were arrested in Sitio Imelda, Barangay Upper Bicutan on Saturday night.

Taupik has a standing arrest warrant for six counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention and kidnapping and serious illegal detention, all issued by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court in November 2009.

Saik is also was wanted for kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges.

The suspects were alleged members of the group of late Basilan-based ASG leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Bakal Hapilon who led various kidnappings in the region.

Eleazar said Taupik served as an outer guard for the kidnap victims in Sulu and Basilan and was also involved in the beheading of Primitivo Falcansantos, Crisanto Suela, and Guillermo Sobero.

Saik, on the other hand, was positively identified by one of their victims who were among the six members of Jehovah’s Witness, a religious group, who were abducted while doing a door-to-door sale of cosmetic products in Patikul, Sulu in August 2002.

Two of those abducted were beheaded while the four remaining victims were rescued by the military after weeks of operations.

Police said Taupik and Saik were also tagged in the abduction of three teachers of Landang Gua Elementary School, Sacol Island in Zamboanga City on January 23, 2009.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1146871