PNP: Abu Sayyaf commander arrested in Parañaque

From gmanetwork.com:

June 11, 2014 11:59am

(Updated 3:40 p.m.) The Philippine National Police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested a “top” official of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group in Parañaque City.

A post on the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s Facebook account identified the Abu Sayyaf official as Khair Mundos, who it described as a “top ranking” official.

“Mudos was arrested just this morning in the area of Brgy. San Dionisio, Parañaque City,” it said.

CIDG spokesperson Chief Insp. Elizabeth Jasmin said Mundos, who has a P1.2-million bounty on his head, was arrested at around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

While initial radio reports described Mundos as a financier of the bandit group, the CIDG said he was a “top commander.”

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, meanwhile said Mundos was a foreign liaison officer of the Abu Sayyaf group (ASG). Funds from foreign terrorist groups were channeled to the Abu Sayyaf through Mundos, he said.

“His arrest will greatly affect the operation of ASG in terms of financial sourcing, as well as in their linkages with foreign extremist groups that help in the training of ASG members in Mindanao,” Zagala said.

He added AFP will coordinate with the proper government agencies handling Mundos “and will provide the necessary security and support to prevent any untoward incident.”

Another ASG member nabbed
Just last Monday, the CIDG said a member of the Abu Sayyaf linked to kidnapping incidents since 1992 was captured in Basilan.

The CIDG said teams from the PNP CIDG and Special Action Force units and the Philippine Air Force captured Moraham Ameng a.k.a. Ameng Alamsirul.

CIDG head Director Benjamin Magalong said they served warrants of arrest against Ameng in Barangay Bulan-bulan in Lantawan town in Basilan.
He said the warrants issued by Basilan RTC Branch 2 Judge Danilo Bucoy were for kidnapping and illegal detention.

At the time of his arrest, Ameng had a P600,000 bounty for information leading to his capture.

Magalong said Ameng was linked to:

• 1992 abduction of a doctor and his family
• 1994 kidnapping of 16 teachers
• ambush that killed three and wounded seven at a coconut plantation in Barangay Tairan, Sitio Pangasaan, Lantawan, Basilan.

Ameng is now detained at the CIDU Western Mindanao office, the CIDG said. — Joel Locsin/RSJ/KG, GMA News