Abu Sayyaf terrorist in hiding 26 years finally caught
The alleged terrorist, hiding behind a false name, faces a murder case.
TAWI-TAWI: Philippine police commandos arrested a suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in a raid in the southernmost province of Tawi-Tawi on Thursday (Apr 27) after he had been hiding from authorities for 26 years.
Tatoh Datu Adingih surrendered when members of the 5th Special Action Battalion swooped down on his lair in Simalac village in Languyan municipality, said Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) director Brig. Gen. Rudolph Dimas.
“This was an intelligence-led operation. The suspect is classified as number nine in the most wanted person list in Tawi-Tawi,” said Dimas in a statement, adding Adingih faces a case of murder, a non-bailable offence.
Dimas said his troops were implementing an arrest warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 5 in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, against the suspect.
“He evaded arrest for the past 26 years by hiding under the false name of Tatoh Moro,” said Dimas.
The operation was supported by the PNP’s Anti-Kidnapping Group which took custody of the arrested suspect.
Other operating units included the PNP’s Maritime Group - Basulta (Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi) and Regional Mobile Force Battalion as well as the Philippine Navy.
Dimas commended the troops for the arrest of Adingih and reiterated his support to the law enforcement operation of the territorial police units.
He also encouraged his SAF personnel to sustain the fight against terrorism and insurgency.