Joint forces capture Dos Palmas abduction key participant
ISABELA CITY, Philippines/20 February 2010—An Abu Sayyaf core member was captured at past nine yesterday morning by joint elements of the Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) 1, 32nd Infantry Battalion of Philippine Army and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-9 in the village of Bato, Lamitan City, here in Basilan Province.
In the early morning of 19 February 19, operating troops of MBLT1 and elements from the CIDG-9 supported by Joint Intelligence Operatives in the Island Province of Basilan apprehended Ustadz Abubakar Muhaimen Sakili Aka Muhaimen Latip, a.k.a. Abu Muhaimen, while passing through a Marine checkpoint on board a Honda Wave Motorcycle bearing Plate Number JI 9764.
Abu Muhaimen has a standing warrant of arrest with Criminal Case Number 125323-II to 125342-II issued by Regional Trial Court of National Capital Judicial Region Branch 69, Pasig City for involvement in Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention with Ransom in the kidnapping incident at Dos Palmas Beach Resort in Palawan.
In 2001, the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group disturbed the tranquility of the Palawan island resort and abducted numerous local and foreign tourists.
Abu Muhaimen is under CIDG custody in Zamboanga City.
In the early 90’s, the subject together with Abdurajak Janjalani and other prominent ASG personalities formed the core group of the Al Harakatul Al Islamiya now commonly known as the Abu Sayyaf Group at Camp Almadina, Kapayawan, Lantawan, Basilan Province.
1st Marine Brigade Commander Brigadier General Eugenio Clemen congratulated the personnel of MBLT-1, the Army’s 32nd IB, and CIDG9 for the latest crackdown against the ASG.
Clemen said that despite the time lapse, the long arms of the law have finally caught up with the terrorist. The criminals may have forgotten what they had done but the law will always prevail. We will relentlessly uphold the rule of law so that we could finally have a true peace that would precede growth and development in Basilan. (1MBDE)
