ZAMBOANGA CITY – A policeman with links to the pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf was shot dead in a firefight with police commandos serving a search warrant in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, officials announced Thursday.
 |
| Police photos released to the Zamboanga Post newspaper show the weapons seized from the house of the slain Staff Sergeant Jamiri Abraham in Zamboanga City. |
“The operation resulted in the firefight between the operating unit and SSg Jamiri Hawang Abraham after he resisted arrest and fired upon the operating units,” Ylagan said.
He said Abraham was assigned with the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Zamboanga City Police Office. The slain policeman was also included in the list of people financing terrorism and connected with the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province.
“He’s a relative of slain Abu Sayyaf leader Hajan Sawadjaan and cousin of Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders Ben Quirino and Muammar Askali, who was also killed in clash with security forces in Sulu,” said Ylagan.
“The subject was monitored providing ammunition and firearms particularly to the group of Abu Sayyaf in Patikul, Sulu. He was also involved in the kidnapping activities of the Abu Sayyaf and facilitated the negotiations for the release of kidnapped victims in Sulu in exchange of ransom money,” he added.
Ylagan said police forces recovered from Abraham’s house two automatic pistols and an automatic rifle, including components in the manufacture of improvised explosives.
Last month, police also disarmed Abraham’s chief Major Jivertson Pelovello after he was tested positive for illegal drug use, according to Ylagan.
“Pelovello has been disarmed of his issued firearms and slapped with corresponding administrative charges,” Ylagan said in his report to National Police Chief, Gen. Debold Sinas who ordered the regional police to immediately take Pelovello in restrictive custody.
Pelovello was among 60 members of the Zamboanga City Police Office, including 12 of his personnel who were tested for illegal drug use by the Regional Crime Laboratory Office on December 18. He was initially screened, but the subsequent confirmatory test on January 6 yielded positive result for drug use. (Zamboanga Post)
Like Us on Facebook: The Mindanao Examiner
Like Us on Facebook: The Zamboanga Post
Follow Us on Twitter: Mindanao Examine
Mirror Site: Mindanao Examiner Blog
Digital Archives: Mindanao Examiner Digital
Media Rates: Advertising Rates
