Poll violence: Sulu police chief sacked, town’s police force removed

The Philippine National Police has removed its top official in Sulu and replaced all policemen in one town for allegedly failing to control violence among candidates’ supporters this election season.

Senior Supt. Antonio Freyra was relieved from his post as provincial director while members of the ARMM Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) replaced all policemen in Banguingui, PNP chief Dir. Gen. Alan Purisima said in a press briefing in Camp Crame.

“Ang nangyayari ngayon sa Banguingui, hanggang ngayon nagpuputukan pa, we now have a company of RPSB who replaced the local police. The PD of Suluwas relieved because hindi na niya ma-control ang mga tao, we need people to control the situation,” Purisima said.

Senior Supt. Robert Kuinisala, who currently serves as deputy director for administration of the ARMM regional police, has been tasked to lead the Sulu provincial police, the PNP chief said.

Sought for more details, Kuinisala said the fighting in Bangungui, formerly known as Tongkil, started on election day between supporters of mayoralty candidate Whajid Sahidulla and a rival candidate.

“So far may reported na tatlong patay, tapos apat na wounded. Nung eleksyon nangyari pero yung succeeding skirmishes, di namin ma-determine kung may sugatan, di ka makalapit dun sa nagpupukpukan eh,” Kuinisala said.

“Nagpuputukan sila sa barangay, sa mga sitio-sitio kung saan sila magkita-kita, ‘yun ang sitwasyon, so kailangang ibalik namin ang normalcy,” he said.

Kuinisala said Senior Supt. Abraham Orbita will be installed as the provincial police director once he and his men have restored peace in Bangungui. (John Roson)

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Sayyaf in Jehovah’s Witnesses abduction falls in Zambo

Authorities arrested an alleged Abu Sayyaf member wanted for the abduction of Jehovah’s Witnesses preachers in Sulu 10 years ago, during an operation in Zamboanga City on Friday.

Suspect Walid Amping was arrested in Brgy. Tulongatung around 11:20 a.m., Senior Supt. James Mejia, Zamboanga City Police director, said.

The arrest was made after witnesses positively identified the suspect, Mejia said.

Amping, who was only in his teens during the abduction, has been using the name Alexander Antonio after going into hiding, said a police source, who requested anonymity for lack of authority to speak on the matter.

The suspect’s real name was only discovered when relatives visited him in detention, the source said.

Amping is presently being investigated for his possible involvement in the abduction of school teacher Flordeliza Ongchua in Brgy. Labuan on Nov. 13, the source added.

Capt. Alberto Caber, spokesman of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, said Amping, who also uses the alias Tuma, is facing six counts of kidnapping for ransom and serious illegal detention.

Members of the Army’s Task Force Zamboanga, 3rd Air Division, and Zamboanga City Police carried out the arrest on a warrant issued by Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 266 Judge Toribio Ilao, he said.

On Aug. 20, 2002, Abu Sayyaf members kidnapped six Jehovah’s Witnesses preachers and their Muslim guide in Jolo, Sulu, and later beheaded two of the victims. (John Roson)

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Navy seizes P10-M rice, flour off Sulu

Navy troops intercepted P10 million worth of undocumented rice, flour, and other foodstuff believed to be from Malaysia, during an operation off Patikul, Sulu, on Monday.

The operation came barely a week after Navy troops intercepted P15 million worth of other contraband in the same province.

Col. Omar Tonsay, Navy spokesman, said the latest shipment of contraband was found on board the “motor launch” Shayna, which made its last port call in Tawau, Sabah, and was set to dock at the Warid Pier in Jolo.

Operatives of Naval Forces Western Mindanao earlier received intelligence reports that the motor launch was carrying smuggled goods, Tonsay said.

This prompted the command to send members of Naval Task Force 61 to intercept the vessel using BRP Emilio Liwanag near Daingapic Point around 3:20 am, he said.

The motor launch, which had 12 crew members on board, was found to be carrying 12,000 sacks of rice, 1,412 boxes of assorted foodstuff, and 400 sacks of wheat flour, all of which had no importation documents and permits from the National Food Authority, Tonsay said.

Initial investigation by the Navy operatives indicated that the vessel is owned by a certain Jaiton Jadjap and Darcy Tan, both of Port Area, Jolo. The contraband’s owners have yet to be identified.

The Navy has already turned over the vessel, its crew, and the contraband to the Bureau of Customs in Jolo.

The crew might face charges of violating Republic Act 1937 or the Tariff and Customs Code, Tonsay said.

The operation came just days after Navy troops intercepted P15 million worth of undocumented fuel and cigarettes off Tulian Island, also in Sulu, on Oct. 30. (John Roson)

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Navy seizes P15-M undocumented fuel, cigarettes in Sulu

Navy troops intercepted P15 million worth of undocumented fuel and cigarettes off Tulian Island, Sulu, Tuesday afternoon.

The contraband, whose country of origin has yet to be determined, was found on board the “motor launch” Wish Me Luck Princess after troops stopped the vessel around 1 p.m., Navy spokesman Col. Omar Tonsay said.

Operatives of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao based near the Chinese Pier in Jolo earlier spotted the vessel trying to avoid them, Tonsay said.

This prompted the operatives to intercept and board the vessel, he said.

The motor launch, which had 13 crewmembers on board, was found to be carrying 796 plastic drums (250 liters capacity each) of gasoline and 1,000 boxes (50 reams per box) of cigarettes, all without supporting documents, Tonsay said.

Initial investigation by Navy operatives indicated that undocumented items are owned by at least 10 persons represented by one Jhonson Askali of Brgy. Bunut, Indanan.

It was also learned that the vessel had no Coast Guard Clearance and was sailing without a “master patron,” Tonsay said.

The Wish Me Luck Princess made its last port call in Sitangkay, Tawi-Tawi, and was reportedly heading for Tanjung Pier in Indanan. Its previous port calls overseas have yet to be determined.

The Navy has already turned over the vessel, its crew, and the contraband to the Bureau of Customs in Jolo.

The crew might face charges of violating Republic Act 1937 or the Tariff and Customs Code, Tonsay said. (John Roson)

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9 Abu Sayyaf men killed in Sulu, military official says

At least nine Abu Sayyaf members were killed and about 20 were wounded when Marines clashed with the bandit group in Patikul, Sulu, on Sunday, a military official said Monday.

The fatalities included Sahiron Ajil and Ismin Sahiron, both relatives of Abu Sayyaf commander Radullan Sahiron, Col. Orlando de Leon, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade in Sulu, told reporters via phone.

De Leon, however, said only local residents and officials reported the number of Abu Sayyaf casualties and no bodies were recovered.

“Wala tayong body count, dahil close-quarter battle, divided lang kami ng ilog… instead of recovering ‘yung body count ng kalaban, I have to evacuate also ‘yung casualty ko, ‘yun ang priority sa akin kaysa recovery of bodies,” he said.

He confirmed that four soldiers were killed and 13 were injured in the fighting.

Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said the four slain soldiers’ remains arrived in Zamboanga City early Monday on a Navy vessel.

Six of 13 injured soldiers were brought to the Camp Navarro Station Hospital, also in Zamboanga City, for further treatment while the others remain at the Trauma Hospital in Jolo, he said.

Members of the 6th Marine Battalion Landing Team clashed with Abu Sayyaf members under Radullan Sahiron and followers of Tahil Sali in Brgy. Bakong around 6:30 a.m. Sunday.

The troops, numbering 80 to 90, were then verifying reports on the presence of kidnap victims, Cabangbang said.

“Noong una nakabangga nila (Marines) ‘yung tropa ni Radullan Sahiron, mga more or less 60 ‘yun, tapos nag-reinforce si Tahil Sali umabot ng mga more or less 100, umabot ng mga limang oras ‘yung fighting,” Cabangbang said in a phone interview.

On Sunday, Cabangbang said two armed men, one of whom was identified as a certain “Kaisar,” were also killed in the clash.

There was no reported fighting as of Monday morning but troops are still pursuing the bandits, Cabangbang said.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos told reporters that 1,000 soldiers are now “directly involved” in pursuing the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu. (John Roson)

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Marines-Abu Sayyaf clash killed 6

The number of fatalities in the clash between Marines and Abu Sayyaf members in Patikul, Sulu, rose to six and those injured to 13 as government troops continue to pursue the bandit group, the military said Monday.

Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said the remains of four slain soldiers arrived in Zamboanga City early Monday on a Navy vessel.

Six of 13 injured soldiers were brought to the Camp Navarro Station Hospital, also in Zamboanga City, for further treatment while the others remain at the Trauma Hospital in Jolo, he said.

Members of the 6th Marine Battalion Landing Team clashed with Abu Sayyaf members under Radullan Sahiron and followers of Tahil Sali in Brgy. Bakong around 6:30 a.m. Sunday.

The troops, numbering 80 to 90, were then verifying reports on the presence of kidnap victims, Cabangbang said.

“Noong una nakabangga nila (Marines) ‘yung tropa ni Radullan Sahiron, mga more or less 60 ‘yun, tapos nag-reinforce si Tahil Sali umabot ng mga more or less 100, umabot ng mga limang oras ‘yung fighting,” Cabangbang said in a phone interview.

Also killed in the clash were two armed men, one of whom was identified as a certain “Kaisar.”

There was no reported fighting as of Monday morning but troops are still pursuing the bandits, Cabangbang said. (John Roson)

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5 killed, 10 hurt as Marines, Abu Sayyaf clash in Sulu

Three Marine troopers and two armed men were killed while 10 other soldiers were injured as security forces clashed with Abu Sayyaf members in Patikul, Sulu, early Sunday, a military spokesman said.

The clash occurred in Brgy. Bakong around 6:30 a.m., Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said.

Members of the 6th Marine Battalion Landing Team were patrolling to verify reports on the presence of kidnap victims in the area, when they encountered Abu Sayyaf members under Radullan Sahiron and followers of Tahil Sali, Cabangbang said.

The military has yet to release names of the slain and injured soldiers. Cabangbang, however, said one of the slain armed men has been identified as a certain Kaisar.

Maj. Gen. Rey Ardo, Western Mindanao Command chief, has ordered that all available air and naval assets be deployed to support the engaged troops and fetch the slain and injured, Cabangbang said. (John Roson)

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Businessman, stude killed in gun attack in Sulu

A Filipino-Chinese businessman and a nursing student were killed after being shot by still unidentified men in Patikul, Sulu, Friday night, police said.

Businessman Christopher Yap and Diana Bataraw, a nursing student at the Sulu State Colleges, both expired while undergoing treatment at the hospital, Senior Insp. Kris Conrad Gutierrez, Patikul Police chief, said.

The incident occurred around 7:15 p.m. in Brgy. Gandasuli, which lies on Patikul’s boundary with Jolo.

Yap, engaged in selling car and motorbike parts, was driving his motorcycle to a friend’s home when two men on another motorcycle shot him several times, Gutierrez said in a phone interview.

The 19-year-old Bataraw, who was then waiting for a ride to school, was hit by a stray bullet on the chest, Gutierrez said.

Investigators have yet to determine the assailants’ identities and motive as of this writing, he said.

A police report, meanwhile, indicated that the attack was in retaliation for Yap’s refusal to give in to an armed group’s extortion demands.

In December 2011, Yap allegedly recieved a letter from an unidentified group demanding P2 million, according to the report. (John Roson)

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Indian escapes Abu Sayyaf captors in Sulu

An Indian national escaped from his Abu Sayyaf captors in Sulu after more than a year of captivity, by taking advantage of the bandits’ fatigue during the fasting month of Ramadan, police said.

Viju Kolara Veetil escaped while his captors were sleeping late Thursday to early Friday, Senior Supt. Antonio Freyra, Sulu provincial director, said.

“He (Veetil) took the chance na pagod at natutulog ‘yung mga nagu-guwardiya sa kanya, so dahan-dahan siyang nakatalilis,” Freyra said in a phone interview.

Abu Sayyaf members, despite their notoriety, adhere to fasting during Ramadan and therefore, experience fatigue caused by lessened eating, according to the official.

“Tingin ko matagal nang pinlano ‘yung pagtakas niya (Veetil), wala naman siyang marka ng ginapos, di naman daw siya ginapos ever since,” Freyra said.

Civilians on a vehicle found Veetil roaming along a road in Brgy. Kadday Mampallam, Patikul, between 3 a.m. to 4 a.m. Friday and took him to the home of Board Member Ismun Suhuri.

“He (Veetil) lost weight, more or less 20 kilos, but according to the medical report, okay naman siya. Medyo namumutla dahil di nakakalabas, pero wala kang makikitang galos-galos sa katawan niya,” Freyra said.

Veetil, an operations manager of a South Korean company based in Kuwait, was abducted in June 2011 during his second visit to his wife’s family in Sulu.

His wife, a native Tausug, was “suprised” upon learning that he escaped and told police investigators that no ransom was paid, Freyra said.

Freyra described Veetil’s escape as a “positive development,” saying this helped reduce kidnap victims who are still in captivity.

“At saka buhay siya eh, para sa akin kung may timing ka bakit hindi ka lumayas dun, sa nakakuha sayo, kahit ako (tatakas) eh,” the police official added. (John Roson)

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Police official, 3 others killed as armed men ambush incoming mayor in Sulu

Four people, including the chief of police of Omar, Sulu, were killed as armed men ambushed the convoy of the town’s incoming mayor Thursday afternoon, police said.

Killed were Omar Police chief Nasiruddin Jailani, PO2 Ferdinand Gumiraw and PO2 Bandir Majidul of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF), and a civilian identified as Masudi Abdurahim, Sulu provincial police director Senior Supt. Antonio Freyra said in a text message.

Injured were PO1 Neptali Roco, also of the SAF, and five civilians of whom three were identified as Ridzmar Julkarnain, Sherhan Hussin, and Beri Sahibuddin. All are presently confined at the Sulu Provincial Hospital.

The incident occurred around 3:35 p.m., while members of the Omar Police and SAF were escorting the convoy of Ferhana Mohammad at Sitio 55, Brgy. Lahing-Lahing.

Mohammad was on her way to the municipal hall to assume office when her convoy was ambushed by fully-armed men believed to be followers of former Mayor Haji Ahmad Omar, Freyra said.

Another police official, who requested anonymity for lack of authority to speak on the matter, said Mohammad was to replace Omar after she won an election protest against the latter.

“Mag-aasume siya (Mohammad) ng office kasi nanalo siya sa election protest, it is suspected na may kinalaman doon ‘yung ambush,” the official added. (John Roson)

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