ASG member listed 5th most wanted in Zamboanga nabbed in QC

MANILA – An Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member listed among the most wanted persons in Zamboanga was arrested by authorities in Quezon City, the Southern Police District (SPD) said Thursday.

In a statement, SPD director Brig. Gen. Kirby John Kraft said Janhar Abdulhari, 37, also known as Janjan or Julpikar Pendiwata, and the No. 7 Most Wanted Person (Municipal Level) and No. 5 (Provincial Level) of Zamboanga was arrested Wednesday afternoon at Tierra Pura Homes, Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

The operation was conducted based on intelligence reports and aimed to execute the warrant of arrest against Abdulhari issued on May 24, 2022 by Honorable Anthony Dela Torre Isaw of the Regional Trial Court Branch 24 in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay in connection with a murder case under Criminal Case number 1-8776.

Following his arrest, Abdulhari was immediately taken to the District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) office of the SPD office for booking and mugshot.

The bandit's arrest was carried out through the coordination between operating teams composed of joint personnel of the District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) and District Mobile Force Battalion (DMFB) of the SPD, along with the National Intelligence Support Group-NCR, Quezon City Police District-DSOU, 3rd Special Operations Unit of the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

In a separate statement, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo lauded the efforts of the operating units for their "professionalism and dedication to eradicating terrorism" in Metro Manila.

111 Reds surrender in Mimaropa since January

Meanwhile, at least 111 members of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People's Army (CPP-NPA) have surrendered to different police units in the Mimaropa Region from January to June 19 this year, according to Brig. Gen. Joel Doria, director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 4B.

Mimaropa is comprised of the provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.

Records reveal that of the 111 surrenderers, eight are listed in the periodic status report (PSR), while 53 have turned themselves in since the assumption of Doria on March 21 this year.

In a statement on Thursday, Doria said the latest surrenderer was "Ka Carlo," a former member of Milisyang Bayan of Kilusang Larangang Gerilya.

He voluntarily surrendered to the personnel of 1st Platoon, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) at 1st PMFC Headquarters in Brgy. San Isidro, Victoria, Oriental Mindoro last June 19. (PNA)