Two dreaded members of the Abu Sayyaf Group allegedly involved in previous cases of beheading of kidnap victims in Mindanao have been arrested in Metro Manila by a composite team of policemen and soldiers.
Reacting to the arrest, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Eleazar, however, dismissed any security threat to Metro Manila following the operations, which nailed down the two suspected terrorists in Taguig City over the weekend.
Taupik Galbun alias “Pa Wahid” and Saik Galbun alias “Pa Tanda” were arrested by combined team of policemen from the National Capital Region Police Office, Southern Police District, Taguig City Police and the Joint Task Force National Capital Region (TF-NCR) at Sitio Imelda, Upper Bicutan, Taguig City.
Reports reaching Eleazar said that Taupik has pending several arrest warrants, including for six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom, and was said to be a member of the ASG directly under the late Isnilon Hapilon and Radulan Sahiron.
Taupik reportedly took part in the beheading of three persons and the abduction of three teachers in Zamboanga City as well as six members of the Jehovah’s Witness several years ago in Patikul, Sulu.
On the other hand, Saik was implicated in the kidnapping of the six Jehovah’s Witness members and also has a standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom.
“We do not see any threats of terrorism in Metro Manila. The investigation is ongoing into the arrest of the two alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group. Investigators are working to find out why the two suspects are in the NCR,” Eleazar said.
Authorities are also checking if the duo has cohorts in Metro Manila, and if they were planning to commit acts of terror.
41 arrested
Meanwhile, 41 people have been arrested during raids in Valenzuela and Batangas in anti-cybersex operations that were credited to the barely a week in existence Project E-ACCESS of the PNP.
A report by the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) said the suspects who were disguised as legitimate call center representatives were arrested during simultaneous operations on Tuesday in Paso de Blas, Valenzuela City and Lipa City, Batangas and in a residential area in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
“Investigation disclosed that these cybersex syndicates are victimizing LGBT members by offering erotic massage services where they can only avail after paying certain registration fees using credit cards,” Eleazar said.
He said the suspects who disguised themselves as US-based young and attractive males and females blocked the victims’ online registration after taking at least 50 US dollars from each credit card account.
The operation stemmed from information received from a concerned citizen via the E-ACCESS (Enhanced, Anti-Cybercrime Campaign, Education, Safety and Security) regarding suspicious call center activities in locations that were identified.
The Project E-ACCESS, which was launched on July 8, seeks to strengthen the campaign against cybercrime by providing an informative and convenient platform for cybercrime prevention awareness, which the public can easily access.