Malaysia wants 2 arrested Abu Sayyaf to be extradited

From the Zamboanga Today Online (Dec 7): Malaysia wants 2 arrested Abu Sayyaf to be extradited

Malaysia has asked Philippines to extradite two al-Qaeda-linked militants who have been nabbed by security forces in separate operations recently in Jolo,  Sulu province, according to Kuala Lumpur-based news agencies reports.

The arrested members of Abu Sayyaf Group -- Saddam Jailani and Kadaffy Muktadil Kamsa -- believed to be linked to abduction of Malaysians Bernard Then and Thien Nyuk Fun from Sandakan in May, were arrested in Jolo, Sulu on Nov 27 and Nov. 28, the reports said.

Early reports, which cited statements of Joint Task Group Sulu commander Brigadier General  Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu, said Thien was released on Nov 8, while Then was reported beheaded on Nov 17.

Arrojado said that troops conducted joint operations with policemen which led to the arrest of Jailani at a port in Jolo and Kamsa was arrested the next day while he was receiving treatment in a hospital, also in Jolo, following a vehicular accident,

The New Strait Times reported that Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abubakar of federal police had made contact with their counterpart in the Philippines and relayed their intention to get the suspects to Malaysian soil for investigation.

"Police have informed the Philippines authorities that we want to have the two suspects extradited here. This was communicated verbally soon after we were informed about the arrests," Khalid was quoted as saying.

"I can confirm to you that we are in contact with the Philippines to request for an extradition," Khalid told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

The Berita Daily also reported citing Khalid's statement that as of 2015 alone, 11 terror attempts were planned by the Abu Sayyaf militants together with its splinter groups, but authorities managed to prevent it from happening.

According to the report, all attempts by the militant group were made at the east coast area of Sabah – an area that is close to the Jolo Island.

“The groups are targeting the east coast of Sabah as it is close to the (Jolo) Island and easy to escape. Moreover they are controlling the area. I have ordered my men to be on alert all the time to prevent cases of kidnappings or terror plot from occurring in Sabah,” Khalid said.

Security forces of Malaysia's federal police and Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) have been alerted since the arrest of Jailani and Kamsa recently.

Jailani, a member of a Abu Sayyaf sub-group led by Alhabshy Misaya, is also believed to be behind the kidnapping of South Korean national Hong Noi-sung in January. Hong was found dead in a sack on Oct 31.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding captive several foreign hostages in Sulu, including two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipino nationals abducted on September 21 on the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte.

Since 1991, the Abu Sayyaf -- armed with mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles -- has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortions in a self-determined fight for an independent state in the Philippines.

It is notorious for beheading victims after ransoms have failed to be paid for their release.

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/21882-malaysia-wants-2-arrested-abu-sayyaf-to-be-extradited.html