Abu Sayyaf courier caught transporting ammo in Sulu

SULU - The military here on Wednesday that it had arrested a suspected courier of al-linked-militant group and recovered from his possession several ammunition in the island province of Sulu.

In a statement, Colonel Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said they had received information that the Abu Sayyaf will be attempting to transport ammunition of unknown caliber to the militant group in Patikul town.

Arrojado said he immediately alerted the troops of the Army's 35th Infantry Battalion (IB) to put up a checkpoint in Barangay Latih to intercept the suspect.

According to him, the prompt action of the troops resulted in the arrest of the suspect identified as Makin Mukan, 41, a resident of Barangay  (village) Kabuntakas, Patikul.

"Mukan was trying to slip six rounds of 40mm grenade launcher ammunition. He was caught by the troops at a checkpoint at past 8 o'clock in the morning," Arrojado said.

The arrested suspect is now in the custody of the police for further investigation into the source of the ammunition that was intended to be transported to the Abu Sayyaf group and appropriate charges as well.

In July 2014, a video of senior Abu Sayyaf leaders along with masked men was posted on YouTube, pledging allegiance to the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL.

Another armed group in the Southern Philippines, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, has offered its support to ISIL.

The videos have been making the rounds on the Internet since last year, but Philippine authorities downplayed the supposed allegiance of Abu Sayyaf and BIFF to the ISIS, saying it may be a ploy to seek financial support.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding captive two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipino nationals abducted on September 21 on the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte, and other foreigners including a Dutch national. Hader Glang.