JOINT military and police forces arrested a Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf bandit in an east coast village of Zamboanga City, military officials said Wednesday, September 25.

Colonel Antonio John Divinagracia, Task Force Zamboanga commander, identified him as Amran Dala, who was arrested by joint elements of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-11 and Police station 4 around 9:30 a.m. Monday in Barangay Mercedes Village.

Divinagracia said the troops launched a law enforcement operation when they spotted Dala, who has a standing arrest warrant for the crime of murder.

He said Dala is a follower of Basilan-based bandit leader Furuji Indama.

The military is pursuing relentlessly the Abu Sayyaf bandits in the provinces of Basilan and Sulu as President Rodrigo Duterte has given them December this year to finish-off the bandits.

“We are firm in pursuing Abu Sayyaf militants and in encouraging other rebels to surrender to quell terrorism and deliver peace and progress in Mindanao,” said Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command chief. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)