Kalinaw News: JTF-SULU, PNP arrest 9 potential female suicide bombers in Sulu

From Kalinaw News (Feb 21, 2021): JTF-SULU, PNP arrest 9 potential female suicide bombers in Sulu



February 22, 2021, Camp Bautista, Jolo, Sulu – Simultaneous joint law enforcement operations of the Joint Task Force–Sulu and Philippine National Police on 19 February led to the arrest of several potential suicide bombers and personalities linked to members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

According to Joint Task Force – Sulu Commander MGen William N Gonzales, nine female personalities are currently under the custody of government authorities for violation of R.A. 9516 or Illegal/ Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing In, Acquisition or Disposition of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives.

Significantly, among those arrested were Isara Jalmaani Abduhajan, 36, Jedah Abduhajan Amin, 28, and Elena Tasum Sawadjaan-Abun, 40–all daughters of late ASG leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan. Government forces seized and confiscated several IED components from Isara and Jedah while serving their warrants of arrest in Brgy Bangkal, Patikul, Sulu. Meanwhile, Elena, who is also the widow of ASG sub-leader Walid Abun, was arrested in Kalimayahan Village, Brgy Latih, Patikul, with suspected potential suicide bomber Firdauzia Said a.k.a Firdausia Salvin, widow of ASG sub-leader Mannul Said.

In an another law enforcement operation in Brgy Tulay, Jolo, Sulu, the AFP and the PNP units also arrested potential suicide bombers Nudsza Ismanu Aslun– widow of ASG member Alias Jabar and Nurshahada A. Isnain–wife ASG member Alias Akram, one of the trusted followers of ASG sub-leader Mundi Sawadjaan.

The intelligence driven operation was a tie-up between military and PNP forces with Metro Jolo Inter Agency Task Group Commander Col Giovanni Franza’s overall supervision. Involved units include 35th Infantry Battalion under Ltc Wilfredo B Borgonia Jr, K9 unit of JTF-S, 7th Special Action Battalion of Special Action Force under P/Ltc Jessie D Balinang and Regional Intelligence Unit 9 of PNP-IG.

“Our combined forces recovered Improvised Explosive Device (IED) components such as switches, batteries, pipes, concrete nails, blasting cap, suspected ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) and detonating cord. These are now at PNP’s crime lab,” The PNP intelligence unit disclosed that they also found a backpack where some personnel borne IED would be emplaced.

Other personalities under custody for same charges were identified as Linda Darun Maruji, Risa Jhalil, and Sharifa Rajani all residing at Kalimayahan village, Brgy Latih, Patikul, Sulu.

“This is how desperate the remaining terrorists are, willing to sacrifice their families just to get back at government forces. JTF-Sulu will continue to exhaust all our options to put an end to terrorism here in this province. Thus, we will constantly collaborate with the police to press legal charges towards ASG members, supporters and sympathizers,” – MGen Gonzales

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/jtf-sulu-pnp-arrest-9-potential-female-suicide-bombers-in-sulu/