Wanted Abu Sayyaf bomb-maker still alive, says ESSCom

 

ESSCom commander Hamzah Ahmad said Philippine authorities have established that Abu Sayyaf bomb-maker Mudzrimar@ Mundi Sawadjaan is still alive following clashes with him since July 2021. (Facebook pic0

LAHAD DATU: A Abu Sayyaf bomb-maker, earlier reported to have been shot dead, is still alive.

Mudzrimar@ Mundi Sawadjaan.

Identified as Mudzrimar@ Mundi Sawadjaan, he is wanted by the Sabah Eastern Zone Security Command, (ESSCom) and was reportedly shot dead last May in the Philippines.

ESSCom commander Hamzah Ahmad said this information was confirmed by the Philippine security forces involved in the Sulu Joint Task Force and the Western Mindanao Command.

“We can confirm that Mudzrimar is still alive following a series of clashes and encounters between the Philippine security forces and the suspect since July 2021,” he said in a statement today.

Mudzrimar, who was removed from the list of individuals wanted by ESSCom last year, is now back on the list following a kidnapping-for-ransom case in the Sabah ESSZone.

Mudzrimar is the nephew of Abu Sayyaf senior leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, and possesses bomb-making expertise.

He was also responsible for planning several bombing incidents in Jolo in the Philippines, in 2020, including at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral.

Recently, questions were raised about Mudzrimar following an ESSCom statement re-listing him among 20 wanted Philippine terror suspects. - FMT