| Submit your comments on this article |
| Southeast Asia |
| Arrested extortion suspect an alleged Abu Sayyaf member |
| 2008-06-08 |
| THE Naval Forces Western Mindanao (Navforwem) is investigating the veracity of information that some of the arrested extortion suspects are members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bandits. Navforwem chief Rear Admiral Emilio Marayag Jr. said they have three witnesses who informed them that at least one of the 15 arrested extortionists is an Abu Sayyaf bandit. Marayag withheld the identity of the suspect pending the outcome of the investigation and further verification. Task Force 61 operatives of Navforwem have arrested the suspects last May 30 while on patrol southwest of Sulade Island in the province of Sulu, south of Zamboanga City. The suspects were intercepted aboard a boat bearing the initials Maritime Industry Authority-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Marina-Armm). The arrest was a result of the intensified anti-piracy campaign of Navforwem following complaints from fishing firms that armed men are extorting money from fishermen while on the Sulu and Tawi-Tawi waters. Marayag said they have filed last Tuesday a case of illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions against the arrested suspects. |
| Posted by:Fred |