Philippine forces have arrested nine women linked to Abu Sayyaf commanders and militants who, according to the military, could be ‘potential suicide bombers’.
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine troops have arrested nine women who were related to Abu Sayyaf commanders and militants in the south and could be ‘potential suicide bombers’, the army said on Tuesday.
The women were captured on Friday during raids on homes in three towns in the predominantly Muslim province of Sulu, said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, jr., Who heads the army’s Western Mindanao Command.
The southern province is the fortress of Abu Sayyaf, known for ransom abductions, beheadings and bombings.
Troops also seized bomb parts, including batteries, blasting cords, suspected explosive powder and oil, an iron pipe and nails, along with a grenade, cellphones, backpacks and a sketch of a suspected bomb site, the army said in a statement. statement said.
“We are always prepared to welcome those who want to return to the folds of the law, but if you refuse to do so, we will certainly pursue you and prevent you from wreaking havoc in the communities,” Major General William said. . Gonzales, who heads government forces in Sulu.
“May this serve as a clear message to the supporters and remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf,” Gonzales said.
The suspects will face criminal charges for illegal possession of explosives, military officials said, adding that intelligence and surveillance troops helped track down the suspects. It was not immediately possible to reach the arrested suspects for comment.
Among those arrested were three daughters and a sister of Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, the leader of Abu Sayyaf, who was wounded in a gun with troops in July last year and a few days later in the mountainous hinterlands outside Patikul, the city of Sulu , is dead.
A few weeks after Sawadjaan’s death, two widows of militant Abu Sayyaf separately detonated bombs in suicide attacks in which 14 people, including soldiers, were killed and 75 others wounded in Jolo town in Sulu. The army then said the bombings, the worst extremist attacks in the country last year, were possibly staged by the Abu Sayyaf around the death of Sawadjaan, who is believed by the Islamic State group to be the leader in the southern Philippines.
The United States and the Philippines have blacklisted Abu Sayyaf separately, which has been significantly weakened by years of battle reports, military attacks and surrender, but is still a national security threat.