Authorities have arrested two Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members wanted for more than two decades in separate police operations in Metro Manila, according to a statement released Thursday by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said the suspects were arrested on the evening of May 11. The first suspect was apprehended around 10:30 p.m. as he was leaving a construction site in Binondo, Manila. The second was caught just 30 minutes later, while playing basketball near his home along Alcoy Street in Barangay Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City.
Both arrests stem from a warrant issued in connection with a kidnapping and serious illegal detention case involving the abduction of 15 plantation workers in Lantawan, Basilan, on June 11, 2001.
“For over two decades, these identified ASG members hid behind false identities and sought refuge in our communities,” Aberin said. “But through our program against fugitives, we have proven that no criminal, no terrorist, can escape the long arm of the law.”
He added that the successful arrests were made possible by enhanced intelligence efforts and coordination with partner law enforcement units.
During processing, one suspect presented a fake national ID, while the other submitted a forged clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)—attempts to conceal their identities that were ultimately thwarted.
“These deceptive acts further reinforced the reliability of the sworn identification provided by the victim-witness and confirmed the fugitives’ ongoing efforts to evade justice,” Aberin emphasized.
The suspects are now in police custody as authorities prepare the return of the warrant and await a commitment order from the issuing court.
“Justice may have been delayed, but today, it was delivered,” Aberin said.