Philippine police seek MNLF's help to locate wanted Abu Sayyaf-linked ex-official
The ex-vice mayor's private armed group clashed with government troops recently.
SULU: The Philippine National Police (PNP) have reportedly sought a former rebel group’s help in locating a suspected Abu Sayyaf-linked ex-official whose private armed group allegedly fought government forces during an operation to arrest him in the southern province of Sulu recently.
The former rebel group, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), are being asked to help in finding former Maimbung vice mayor Pando Mudjasan, who is facing multiple murder charges.
PNP spokesman Col. Jean Fajardo was reported as saying Tuesday that the PNP found it difficult to pinpoint the exact location of Mudjasan.
His group clashed with combined police and Philippine army personnel during an operation to arrest him on June 24 in Maimbung that resulted in the death of a police Special Action Force (SAF) commando and the wounding of 13 others including two civilians.
Fajardo said Mudjasan, a former MNLF commander, is familiar with Sulu terrain which he uses to his advantage while hiding, apart from the possibility that he is being coddled by other terrorist groups.
Fajardo also hoped the MNLF would be able to convince Mudjasan to surrender.
Mudjasan allegedly coddled members of the Abu Sayyaf terror group, one of the reasons he was disowned by the MNLF.