A KNOWN bomber of the Abu Sayyaf, identified as Isnaji Hasim, was arrested by joint military and police forces on July 24 in Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay. The Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) reported that the suspect operated under the group’s Basilan-based leader Furuji Indama, who is a close associate of Hashim Saripa, one of the perpetrators of the Lamitan bombing on July 31, 2018. The blast killed 10 and wounded nine others. Hasim was also reportedly involved in the Zamboanga City bus terminal bombing on January 23, 2015 that killed two and wounded 52 civilians. Brig. Gen. Bagnus P. Gaerlan, Jr., commander of the 102nd Brigade, said a civilian tipped off authorities on Hasim’s location. “Our appreciation goes to the concerned civilian who gave the information to the troops that led to the arrest of Hasim,” Mr. Gaerlan said in a statement released by WestMinCom. “This is an evidence that even the locals denounce the presence of terrorists in their communities. 102nd Infantry Brigade will continue to hunt down the remaining insurgents who are planning to conduct atrocities in the area,” he added. Troops recovered from Hasim a rifle, grenade, improvised explosive device, blasting caps and other bomb paraphernalia.

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