Warrant served vs. ASG for kidnapping of 5 Indonesian fishermen

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 3, 2022): Warrant served vs. ASG for kidnapping of 5 Indonesian fishermen (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – An alleged Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandit already detained here for kidnapping charges got a third arrest warrant for the same offense, an official said Thursday.

Col. John Francis Encinareal, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Region 9 (CIDG-9) chief, said the latest arrest order against Suhud Salasim was for four counts of kidnapping for ransom and serious illegal detention.

A court in Jolo, Sulu recommended no bail. The arrest warrant was issued last May 6.

Salasim has been jailed since March last year following his capture when government troops rescued three of the four Indonesians that the group held captive off Pasigan Island, South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi, in January 2020.

Prior to his capture, Salasim had pending arrest warrants for his alleged involvement in at least two kidnapping incidents.

Salasim's group seized the five Indonesian fishermen on January 15, 2020 off Lahad Datu, Sabah, and brought them to Sulu.

Authorities said the bandits killed one of the five Indonesians who tried to escape amid a firefight with government troops on September 29, 2020 in Patikul, Sulu.

Encinareal said Salasim, a native of Isabela City, Basilan, was involved in the August 20, 2002 kidnapping of Florida Montulo and five other members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Patikul.

The bandits beheaded two of the victims– Leonec Mantec and Lemuel Montulo– on the same day they were captured.

Encinareal said Salasim was also involved in the April 23, 2000 kidnapping of 21 people, mostly Europeans, at a resort in Sipadan, Palau, Sabah.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1175735