A SUSPECTED Abu Sayyaf member was caught by authorities early morning Thursday, August 16, in Barangay Ocaña, Carcar City, Cebu.
Oger Roma Pelonio, 69, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Central Visayas with the assistance of Carcar City Police Station.
Several firearms and explosives were seized by the operatives.
Cell phones and religious materials were also recovered from Pelonio.
Pelonio was reportedly renting a house in the barangay.
The arrest was authorized by a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 18 Judge Gilbert Moises.
Personnel from National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and Military Intelligence Group also helped in the arrest of the suspect, who was placed under surveillance in the past five days. The surveillance had sanctions from Macalañang, local radio station dyLA reported.
Pelonio was allegedly involved in extortion activities in the southern part of Mindanao. When politicians and businessmen would not give in to his demands, he would make a scene by setting off an explosive.
The suspect had reportedly started to extort money from fast food chains in some parts of Central Visayas before his arrest. He allegedly threatened to set off a bomb outside the establishment if his demands were not given. (KAL/SunStar Cebu)