Sayyaf spotter and Marines beheading suspect arrested in Basilan
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines/10 March 2010 by Ann Montano–After a successful intelligence planning, combined elements of the Naval Intelligence Service Group-WM, 1st Marine Brigade and Directorate for Integrated Police Operation (DIPO) WM arrested an Abu Sayyaf spotter and suspect in the beheading of 10 Marines last July 10, 2007 in Guinanta, Albarka town in Basilan.
Naval Forces Western Mindanao Commander Rear Admiral Alexander Pama identified the suspect as a certain Hamsalain Anjalin, a.k.a. Alim Alam, an Abu Sayyaf and rogue member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front operating in the island province of Basilan.
Rear Admiral Pama in an interview disclosed that the suspect was arrested while passing a military checkpoint at the vicinity of the village of Lagayas, Tipo-Tipo while he was doing his usual routine as habal-habal (motorcycle) driver.
The Philippine Navy General said Anjalin was positively identified on his involvement in the gruesome killings of fourteen (14) Philippine Marines from MBLT-8 last 2007while ten (10)of them were mutilated by the terrorists.
Rear Admiral Pama said Anjalin himself revealed he was formerly working under the leadership of rogue MILF group Commander Hassan Asnawi and Suhud Limaya, and admitted he is presently working under the group of ASG Sub-leader Nurhassan Jamiri whom he serves as spotter and custodian of prospective kidnap victims.
Furthermore Anjalin also served as the eyes and ears of Jamiri and his group against government forces whose been intensifying their pursuit operations without let-up against the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf and other lawless elements operating in the island province.
The arrested suspect has standing warrant of arrest on criminal cases on the beheading of 10 Marines and four counts of frustrated murder both penalized under Branch 1,9th Judicial Region in Isabela City, Basilan province issued by Judge Leo Jay Principe dated July 26, 2007.
Pama said with the successful apprehension of Hamsalain Anjalin, the capability of the Abu Sayyaf and said lawless MILF group to conduct spate of kidnapping and monitoring the movements of the government forces was alleviated and thereby brought him to the folds of the law and give justice to the fourteen (14) Philippine Marines who were tortured and killled by the bandits.
Meanwhile, in coordination with the Directorate for Integrated Police Operation –WM, the apprehended ASG member was temporarily brought to Naval Station and will be turned over to the PNP for proper disposition and filing of appropriate charges. (Ann Montano, The PhilSouth Angle)
