MANILA, Philippines – A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) member was arrested with two men identified as Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bombers by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In a press briefing on Monday, October 12, PNP chief General Camilo Cascolan announced the arrest on Friday, October 9, of  a certain PCG Apprentice Seaman Jailani Al-Rafee Sakandal, 31, in an operation in Zamboanga City by local, intelligence, and criminal investigation police.

He was arrested with Kadija Sadji, 31, and Abdulman Sarapuddin Tula, 32, for illegal possession of components of improvised explosive devices, which consisted of the following:

• 9-volt batteries
• Electrical tools
• Electrical wires
• Resistors
• Metal clips
• 500 grams of concrete nails

Police also confiscated hand grenades, a caliber .45 pistol, several rounds of 5.56mm rifle ammunition, and a black Islamic State (ISIS) flag.

Sadji and Tula were identified as members of ASG and were even tagged by the police as “financial conduits” of ISIS to the faction of the ASG that it was allied with – the faction led by bomber Mundi Sawadjaan.

Tula was also described as a logistics man for groups managed by Sawadjaan and ASG leader Radullan Sahiron in Sulu.

Sakandal is being investigated by the police to determine his invovlement with the ASG. Rappler has sought the comment of the PCG through a text message through its spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo, but he has yet to reply as of posting. – Rappler.com