ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanews/25 May) – Joint police and military operatives captured on Thursday a suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group following a brief chase and shootout in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.
Captured was Najer Ajilol, who is facing three counts of kidnapping with ransom before a Court in this city.
A warrant for his arrest had earlier been issued.
Senior Insp. Joseph Ortega, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) spokesman, said Ajilol was captured at around 7:45 a.
m. on May 22 at Purok Mambong, Barangay Candiz, Siocon.
Before his capture, Ortega said Ajilol was seen by the members of the “eye of the barangay” in Baranghay Matiag, Siocon.
The members of the “eye of the barangay” serve as informants of the intelligence service.
Ortega said checkpoints were immediately set up but Ajilol, who was driving a motorcycle, managed to escape by jumping into a ravine and shooting the troops while fleeing Sitio Canatuan, Barangay Tabayo, Siocon.
Ortega said the troops pursued Ajijol and cornered the latter after he was wounded in a brief shootout in Sitio Mambong, Barangay Candiz in the same town.
He said Ajijol was taken to the hospital for treatment.
A caliber .45 pistol with ammunition and a hand grenade was recovered from his possession, Ortega said. (MindaNews)