JOINT military and police team arrested one of the most wanted persons in a law enforcement operation in the province of Tawi-Tawi, officials said.

Colonel Arturo Rojas, Joint Task Force (JTF) Tawi-Tawi, identified the arrested wanted person as Madjid Sali, who has been listed as the number five most wanted person in Tawi-Tawi province.

Rojas said Sali was nabbed in a law enforcement operation early Sunday, August 9, in Sipangkot village, Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi.

Sali has a standing warrant of arrest for murder issued by the court of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

Rojas said JTF Tawi-Tawi and 2nd Marine Brigade will continue to assist and support other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in accomplishing the shared and common mission.

"We thank the other LEAs, like the PNP (Philippine National Police), for their trust and respect to the military forces here (in Tawi-Tawi) for giving us the opportunity to provide support and assistance," he said.

Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the military and "our partner agencies remain persistent in carrying out law enforcement and regulatory functions to keep the region safe and secured while we continue to fight against the contagion."

Sali was placed under the custody of Sitangkai Municipal Police Station in Tawi-Tawi for documentation and proper disposition. (SunStar Zamboanga)