Abu Sayyaf ‘IED expert’ nabbed in Zamboanga

An alleged Abu Sayyaf member who specializes in improvised explosives was arrested when security forces conducted an operation at a beach resort in Zamboanga City, police reported Wednesday.

Arrested was Kalmi Mustala, 42, a native of Panamao, Sulu, presently residing in the city, according to a report from the Zamboanga Peninsula regional police.

Members of the City Mobile Force Company, other police units, the Marines, and intelligence operatives carried out the operation around 9 a.m. Tuesday, at Caragasan Beach Resort in Brgy. Sinunuc.

They implemented an arrest warrant for illegal possession of explosives in relation to two counts of frustrated murder and two counts of attempted murder, issued by the court in Sulu last June 19, according to the report.

Mustala served as a member of the Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf under arrested sub-leader Sansibar Bensio and late sub-leader Hairulla Abduraja, police said.

Bensio and Abduraja were allegedly involved in the deadly twin bombings at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Jolo on January 27, 2019, as well as kidnappings of several foreigners and Filipinos, according to authorities.