GOVERNMENT forces have arrested in Sulu the wife of an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader allegedly involved in the procurement of bomb components for the use of her husband’s group, the military reported yesterday.
The suspect, identified as Nursitta Mahalli Malud, alias Kirsita Ismael, 34, was nabbed last Saturday night in Zone 3, Barangay Tulay in Jolo by virtue of a search warrant for illegal possession of explosives.
Soldiers and policemen seized from her possession assorted bomb components, including an 81mm mortar round, a nine-inch detonation cord, a blasting cap, a 23-inch wire attached to a blasting cap, a battery with snap connector, and a plastic container with arming switch.
The Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu said Malud is the second wife of Abu Sayyaf leader Mundi Sawadjaan, who is tagged as the mastermind behind two suicide bombings in Sulu.
It said Malud was “taking care” of Sawadjaan’s finances and “in charge of procurement of IED (improvised explosive device) materials for the group of Sawadjaan.” Malud is currently under the custody of the Jolo police station.
JTF Sulu commander Brig. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio said the military is zeroing in on getting the leaders of the Abu Sayyaf to prevent bombings in the province.
“Bombing has no place in Sulu. We need to zero in on the leadership of local terrorist group and its members as soon as possible to prevent any atrocities to happen. We cannot allow any bombing attack, because it will only hamper the furtherance of the relative peace Sulu has today,” said Patrimonio.
Patrimonio said the group of Sawadjaan has “dwindled” in number and “they are becoming desperate at the same time reckless.”
“Now that all his companions were arrested one after another, his capability to conduct a possible attack has weakened,” said Patrimonio, who appealed for the public’s cooperation and vigilance to achieve a “just and lasting peace here in Sulu.”
In Basilan, an Abu Sayyaf supporter was killed in a firefight with soldiers under the Joint Task Force Basilan in Sumisip town last Friday, the Zamboanga City-based AFP Western Mindanao reported on Sunday night.
The suspect, identified only through his alias as Buloy Parang, reportedly opened fire at soldiers approaching his location in Barangay Mangal. The troops returned fire, killing Parang in the process.
Recovered from Parang’s possession were a cal. 45 pistol and an anti-personnel mine.
JTF Basilan commander Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway said Parang is an Abu Sayyaf supporter and served as courier and planter of anti-personnel mines that targeted batching plants and road projects in Sumisip.
