By JAMIL SANTOS, GMA News
Published December 12, 2020 12:39pm
Authorities on Saturday arrested an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader wanted for the murder of a barangay chairman, as well as the burning of several houses in Basilan.
In a statement, the Philippine National Police said Hadi Faisal Abdulkarim was captured in a counter-terrorism operation conducted by the PNP-Intelligence Group and the PNP-Special Action Force in Barangay Matata, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan at 2 a.m.
Police identified Abdulkarim as sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group-Dawlah Islamiyah Basilan Group operating under leader Radzmil Jannatul, who succeeded the late ASG-Basilan Leader Furuji Indama.
Abdulkarim is the subject of two separate warrants of arrest, as he is the primary suspect in the murder of Barangay Chairman Naber Usani in 2014, and the attack and torching of several houses in Barangay Bulo-Bulo, Sumisip, Basilan in 2004.