Abu Sayyaf Group explosives expert nabbed in Sulu
The alleged terror group member is the fourth most-wanted person in Zamboanga City.
ZAMBOANGA CITY: Philippine authorities have arrested an alleged Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) explosive expert in a law enforcement operation in the southern island province of Sulu, it has been reported Saturday (May 6).
Ras Abdulla, also known as Elhan Bahjin Abuhassan, 48, was arrested in Bus-Bus village, Jolo municipality, on Friday (May 5), said Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director Col. Alexander Lorenzo according to news reports.
Abdulla was the fourth most-wanted person in Zamboanga City and had two standing arrest warrants for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and for possession of explosives issued by a Zamboanga City court in 2020.
Lorenzo said Abdulla, formerly residing in Baliwasan village, Zamboanga City, was a follower of Zamboanga-based ASG leaders Marzan Ajijul and Jomar Mohammad.
Ajijul and Mohammad, at large and operating on the east coast of Zamboanga City, are being sought by authorities.
As someone who genuinely knows only the barest outlines of things in SE Asia, your reporting the last couple weeks leaves the impression of Govt. forces generally making solid progress. Is that accurate? Or is it a matter of there being plenty more individuals out there like these suspects?