Sayyaf bomber captured in Zambo

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Security forces here captured an Abu Sayyaf bomber who is also wanted for the spate of ransom kidnappings of Filipinos and foreigners in the southern Philippines, a regional police spokesperson said Wednesday.

A photo from the 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company shows the suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorist.

Maj. Shellamie Chang said the 42-year old Kalmi Mustala was captured in the coastal village of Recodo after soldiers and policemen swooped down on his hideout Tuesday.

 

At least a dozen police and military units from Sulu province and Zamboanga City participated in the joint operation that led to Mustala’s arrest. The terrorist is being linked to the twin suicide attacks on Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Sulu’s capital town of Jolo on Janua2y 27, 2019.

 

It was unclear what was Mustala’s role in the attacks which was claimed by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria or ISIS after a pair of Indonesian bombers detonated their explosives simultaneously inside and outside the church. The first bomber, a woman, detonated an explosive belt, while the second attacker blew himself up outside the cathedral, killing and wounding dozens of people, including soldiers deployed in the area.

The spokeswoman said Mustala was also involved in the February 2012 kidnappings of Swiss national Lorenzo Vinciguerra and Dutch birdwatcher Ewold Horn. He is also being linked to the September 2019 kidnappings of three Indonesian fishermen Maharudin Bin Lunani, and Samiun bin Maneu and Muhammad Farhan; and three other Filipinos, Ronnie Terung, Joshua Baning and Michelle Panes.

 

“The arrest was made by virtue of a warrant under criminal case Nr. 2991-3 for violation of Presidential Decree no. 11866 as amended by RA 8294 known as illegal possession of Explosives used in the commission of the crimes of double frustrated murder and double attempted murder issued by Honorable Judge Alsad H. Alfad of Sulu RTC, Branch 3 dated June 19, 2021 with no bail bond recommended. Accused is presently detained at the headquarters of the Zamboanga City Police Office lock-up cell,” she said in a statement. 

No other details were made available by the police on Mustala’s arrest or whether his group was planning an attack or targeting wealthy businessmen here. (Mindanao Examiner)