A JOINT team of soldiers and policemen have arrested an alleged Abu Sayyaf bandit involved in series of kidnappings in the past years here in the region, military officials announced Thursday, September 26.
Lieutenant Colonel Don Templonuevo, Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion commander, identified the arrested suspect as Nasirin Balajadji, an alleged third highest ranking Abu Sayyaf bandit.
Templonuevo said Balajadji was arrested Wednesday in a law enforcement operation by way of service of warrant of arrest in the village of Canacan, Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Colonel Leonel Nicolas, Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, attributed the arrest of Balajadji to the report of a peace-loving and concerned civilian in his area of responsibility.
Templonuevo said Balajadji has standing warrant of arrest for the crime of kidnappings with ransom with no recommended bail.
He said the suspect was involved in the kidnapping in June 2012 of Baker Atyani, a Jordanian journalist.
Atyani was freed by the Abu Sayyaf bandits 18 months later in the province of Sulu.
Police Colonel Jerry Protacio, Zamboanga Sibugay police director, said the suspect was also involved in the kidnapping of retired Italian priest Roland Del Torchio in October 2015 and Rexon Romoc in August 2016.
The Abu Sayyaf bandits freed Del Torchio in April 2016 while Romoc in February 2017. (SunStar Philippines)