Hapilon close aide arrested in Zamboanga City

By Eric Patrick


ZAMBOANGA CITY — An alleged member of the Abu 
Sayyaf group, believed to be a close escort of the group's senior leader Isnilon Hapilon, fell into the hands of 
authorities here Saturday.

Hamsi Amajad Marani, alyas Hamsi, a bomb expert 
for the Abu Sayyaf, was arrested at Purok 4, Sitio Niyog-
Niyog, Barangay Muti, here by members of Joint Task 
Force Zamboanga and the local city police office.

Reports from soldiers revealed that Marani was seen 
by a concerned citizen who immediately alerted 
authorities prompting the arrest.

"The capture of Marani will somehow cripple any 
possible support being given by Marani to Hapilon as he struggles to leave Marawi to safety," said Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr, commander of the Western Mindanao 
Command.

Hapilon is believed to still be holed up in Marawi along 
with other members of the Abu Sayyaf and the Maute 
group.

Marani is said to have been trained by an Indonesian
explosives expert who is part of Jemaah Islamiyah.

Authorities recovered bomb-making materials in the
suspect's possession.

Marani is currently under the custody of the 
Zamboanga Police Office undergoing debriefing.