Published February 23, 2021, 3:52 PM
Security forces have arrested nine women who were tagged as potential suicide bombers in a series of police and military operations in Patikul and Jolo towns of Sulu, the military disclosed on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, said three of those arrested are daughters of slain Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan identified as Isara Jalmaani Abduhajan, 36; Jedah Abduhajan Amin, 28; and Elena Tasum Sawadjaan-Abun, 40.
He said the three were arrested in Barangay Bangkal in Patikul town and yielded several components of Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
Gonzales said they also arrested the widow of ASG sub-leader Walid Abun in Kalimayahan Village in Barangay Latih, with another suspect identified as Firdauzia Said who is a widow of ASG sub-leader Mannul Said.
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SIX OF the nine women arrested are related to known leaders of the Abu Sayyaf group. PHILIPPINE ARMY/11TH INFANTRY DIVISION
9 Abu Sayyaf-linked females arrested in Sulu, bomb components seized
JOINT government forces have arrested nine females with links to the Abu Sayyaf bandit and terror group in Sulu last week, some of whom were in possession of bomb components, the military reported on Tuesday. “Simultaneous joint law enforcement operations of the Joint Task Force–Sulu and Philippine National Police (PNP) on Feb. 19 led to the arrest of several potential suicide bombers and personalities linked to members of the Abu Sayyaf Group,” the Philippine Army’s 11 Infantry Division based in Sulu said in a statement. Among those arrested were three daughters of the late ASG leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who was killed in a gun battle against the military in July last year. The three were identified as Isara Jalmaani Abduhajan, 36; Jedah Abduhajan Amin, 28; and Elena T