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Friday, March 12, 2004
Suspected Abu Sayyaf held aboard ship
By Edwin G. Espejo
GENERAL SANTOS -- Security officers onboard a passenger ship on Wednesday accosted a man suspected to be a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group.
The suspect, a certain Agustin Bientres, was immediately whisked away by members of Task Force Davao providing security to Super Ferry 16.
Reports said Agustin, reportedly a resident of Malaybalay in Bukidnon, is now in Davao City where he is being interrogated by military and police.
It was not immediately known where Agustin boarded the ship, which left Manila Monday and made a stopover in Zamboanga City.
The incident created a scene at Makar wharf as passengers were required to have their luggage inspected thoroughly by the military.
Port officials said the ship's departure for Davao Wednesday was delayed for three hours as police and military authorities scoured the vessel in search for explosives.
Sources said security personnel of the ship were suspicious of Agustin while the vessel was on its way to General Santos.
The suspect reportedly could not present his luggage when questioned by security personnel of WG&A, owner of Super Ferry 16.
Passenger ships throughout the country have been placed under tight security following the burning of another WG&A vessel, the Super Ferry 14, just two weeks ago.
A man who introduced himself to be an Abu Sayyaf member later claimed over a radio station in Zamboanga that they were responsible for the explosion which led to the burning and sinking of Super Ferry 14 hours after it left Manila.
(March 12, 2004 issue)
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