Philippine troops arrested an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader and one of his men in Basilan province on Friday, a day after President Rodrigo Duterte took office promising to crush the notorious terrorist group.Military spokesman Filemon Tan identified the arrested sub-leader as Mudzrih Abih Adjalan, alias Idol, and a man named Yasir. Both were arrested in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan under a warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention. Tan said Adjalan was also behind the killing of Godofredo Oraw, Jr. and Homer Dela Fuente in Lamitan City on June 25, 2013. He is said to be an expert in manufacturing explosive devices.
Tan said, "[Adjalan] is well-trained in manufacturing improvised explosive devices and is involved in the conduct of surveillance for probable targets of several bombing incidents in Zamboanga City and the cities of Isabela and Lamitan, both in Basilan."