Sayyaf member nabbed in Basilan pier
Friday, March 19, 2010
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DILIGENCE has paid off for elements of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) intelligence operatives operating in the Zamboanga-Basilan-Jolo area after it arrested a fugitive member of the Abu Sayyaf Group Wednesday.
PAF spokesman Gerardo Zamudio Jr. said the arrest of Burrong Rasul Barro alias Abu Mohammad was a result of a three-month operation by PAF intelligence personnel targeting Abu Sayyaf members operating in the provinces of Sulu and Basilan.
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The captured terrorist has a standing warrant of arrest issued by Judge Toribio Ilao of the Regional Trial Court Branch 266 in Pasig City in connection with a criminal case of kidnapping and serious illegal detention arising from the Jehovah’s Witnesses kidnapping incident on August 20, 2002 in Sulu.
Barro, who was positively identified by a witness who is now being protected under the government’s witness protection program, will be committed to the court Friday by the PAF.
PAF commanding general Oscar Rabena meanwhile lauded elements of the 300th Air Intelligence Service Group on the ground.
He commended them for their additional contribution to Task Force Zamboanga and Eastern Mindanao Command’s drive to defeat the Abu Sayyaf Group.
“The PAF will continue on contributing towards the fulfillment of this goal,” said Rabena.
Barro, who carries a reward of P350,000 for his arrest, is listed number 64 in the Department of National Defense-Department of Interior and Local Government Joint Order Number 11 dated April 23, 2009.
He is described by operatives as a slippery criminal who has been eluding law enforcers by shuttling back and forth between Basilan, Zamboanga and Sulu.
According to Zamudio, the PAF intelligence agents in Basilan immediately called Task Force Zamboanga to apprehend the fugitive after confirming that Barro boarded the ferry around 7 a.m. Wednesday towards Zamboanga. (VR/Sunnex)
