Abu Sayyaf ‘mole’ surrenders in Zamboanga City

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 21, 2023): Abu Sayyaf ‘mole’ surrenders in Zamboanga City (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

NIGHT PATROL. Col. Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director (right), conducts a briefing to ZCPO personnel before their deployment for security duty in the city on Tuesday night (June 20, 2023). The ZCPO launched the Night Patrol-Cuida Vida (Take Care of Life) on the same night to boost the anti-crime campaign in the city. (Photo courtesy of ZCPO)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – An alleged Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) spy has surrendered to authorities amid an intelligence-driven operation against extremist elements in this city, a top police official said Wednesday.

Col. Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director, said Abdulhan Salahuddin, 39, surrendered around 2 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Muti.

Salahuddin handed over a .45-caliber pistol when he was presented to Lorenzo at the headquarters of the 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company.

Lorenzo said Salahuddin is a follower of ASG subleader Marzan Ajijul, whose group operates in this city and nearby Basilan province.

Salahuddin is allegedly involved in extortion activities in far-flung areas of Zamboanga City and Basilan province targeting markets, community sundry stores and other establishments.

In this city alone, he is linked to several atrocities such as the clash with government forces on Sept. 20, 2012 in Barangay Calabasa and the attack on a passenger bus along the highway of Barangay Buenavista in 2015.

In addition, he is also being linked to the 2016 foiled bomb attack on a security firm armored van in Sitio Marangan, Barangay Muti in this city.

Lorenzo said Salahuddin was placed under custodial debriefing following his surrender.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203987