Weapons expert very much alive

 From The Star (Jan 31, 2022): Weapons expert very much alive (By MUGUNTAN VANAR)

KOTA KINABALU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) has dispelled talk that notorious Abu Sayyaf gunman Mudzrimar @ Mundi Sawadjan is dead, saying that he has remained active in a number of fire-fights.

Citing intelligence information shared by Philippine security forces, Joint Task Force Sulu and Western Mindanao Command Esscom commander Deputy Comm Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said Mundi is very much alive.

He said the Philippine security forces confirmed that Mundi was active and has been involved in fire-fights with the military in the southern Sulu province since July last year.

In a statement yesterday, DCP Hamzah said Mundi remains on Esscom’s wanted list.

Doubts over Mundi’s death were raised after a news report claimed that the gunman was killed in a battle with the Philippine security forces in May last year, thus raising questions on why his name was added to Esscom’s updated list of “wanted men” last Thursday.

On Saturday, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Razarudin Husain asked Esscom to recheck the status of Mundi amid media reports that he was dead.

Regional intelligence sources said that Mundi, who is seen as a possible Emir of the Philippines Darul Islamiyah linked to the Islamic State, remains on the run and is in hiding following the Philippines’ on-going military operations against the group.

Mundi was listed among 20 Abu Sayyaf gunmen linked, or involved in, cross border kidnappings in Sabah’s waters.

He was a sub-commander in the Abu Sayyaf group and identified as the mastermind behind two major attacks in Jolo that included the bombing of a cathedral.

Mundi is also the nephew of Abu Sayyaf leader Hatib Hajan Sawdjaan. He is widely seen as a key person to lead Darul Islamiyah.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/01/31/weapons-expert-very-much-alive