Authorities in Zamboanga have arrested Hashim Saripada, the alleged assistant of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Mundi Sawadjaan, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

A warrant of arrest for multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder was served to Saripada by the Regional Intelligence Unit 9 and 84th Special Action Economy in Zamboanga on Sunday (September 27).

Saripada is reported to have brought the Moroccan suicide bomber allegedly involved in the explosion at the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) detachment at Sitio Magkawit, Barangay Lamita in Basilan last July 21, 2018. Eleven individuals died in the incident.

PNP Chief PGen. Camilo Cascolan also said Saripada assisted Sawadjaan in making the improvised explosive device (IED) used by the Indonesian suicide bombers in Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu last January 27, 2019.

Meanwhile, PNP Intelligence Group Director PBGEn. Edgar Monsalve said they have been monitoring Saripada. He reported that Saripada left Basilan after the Lamitan bombing and went to Sulu.

“Mayroon pong mga kapatid natin sa community na nagbigay ng impormasyon na sighted ito uli si Saripada sa Zamboanga (We received reports from our community that Saripada was sighted again in Zamboanga)” he said.

Cascolan also said the arrest is a big blow on Sawadjaan because he has lost a trusted assistant.

“Karamihan ng kaniyang activities ngayon ay hindi na matutuloy because of that and he knows na mino-monitor na siya ng lahat ng intelligence unit, (Most of his activities now will not push through because of that and he knows he is being monitored by all intelligence units),“ the PNP Chief said.

He also assured the PNP will boost their intelligence group to help curb terrorism in the country. AAC (with reports from Lea Ylagan)

Facebook has removed over hundreds of fake accounts for engaging in “coordinated inauthentic behavior.”

In a statement, the social media giant said it removed 155 accounts; 11 Pages; 9 Groups and 6 Instagram accounts. These networks reportedly originated in China. It also removed 57 Facebook accounts; 31 Pages and 20 Instagram accounts where its networks originated in the Philippines and focused on domestic audiences.

Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook’s head of security policy, said these accounts and pages posted about local news and events including domestic politics, military activities against terrorism, pending anti-terrorism bill, criticism of communism, youth activists and opposition, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)and its military wing the New People’s Army (NPA), and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). 

“Although the people behind this activity attempted to conceal their identities, our investigation found links to Philippine military and Philippine police,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday (September 23) clarified that none of their maintained accounts were shutdown but is still looking into Facebook’s report.

“There are no accounts that the AFP maintain that were shutdown or removed by Facebook. All of them are up and running. The AFP upholds truth and accountability of network and SocMed account managers as to the contents of postings in our websites, pages, and accounts,” their statement reads. AAC

Following the directive of PNP Chief PGen. Camilo Cascolan, the Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted a surprise inspection at Camp Crame on Tuesday morning (September 22) to pursue cops who use unregistered, impounded, recovered, and carnapped cars.

The PNP-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) conducted the inspection as part of PNP’s internal cleansing program. PNP-HPG Director Police Brigadier General Eliseo Cruz said they inspect the vehicle’s certificate of registration and its engine and chassis number.

“Siguraduhin na walang sino man sa kapulisan ang gumagamit ng mga recovered, alarmed or stolen vehicle at ito’y isang paraan na sitahin sila habang nandito sa loob ng kampo, (We will make sure no cop will use recovered, alarmed or stolen vehicle and this is a way to apprehend them while they’re still inside the camp),” he said.

Cruz also reiterated that all carnapped vehicles recovered during operations should be turned over to the PNP-HPG within 24 hours as part of the standard operating procedure (SOP).

Meanwhile, the camp lockdown will also be implemented in all PNP camps nationwide. AAC (with reports from Lea Ylagan)