ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) – The police and military are still keeping a close eye on a suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group, identified as Gabriel Patarasa, 24, while he is being treated at the Zamboanga City Medical Center due to a hit of splinters from unidentified explosives.
Just last week, the members of Zamboanga Coastguard blocked Patarasa while some men carried him down from a commercial vessel from the Island of Basilan because of the hits in his face and body.
According to Lt. Paul Gonzales, acting Commander, Coastguard Zamboanga City, “…we apprehended a person, apparently he is wounded and we brought him to Zamboanga City Medical Center. We brought him there because of the strict implementation of 008, yong full control ng supervision ng Philippine Coastguard dito sa lahat ng pwersa sa Mindanao during the entire duration of martial law.”
“And dahil din sa guidance ng ating City Mayor na we are looking for suspected person na may kahina-hinalang mga sugat na galing sa mga identified areas. That’s the reason why, sinamahan namin sila para magpa-admit and vina-validate namin kung ano talaga ang reason kung bakit niya na acquire ang ganung mga sugat,” Lt. Gonzales added.
The PNP Zamboanga has admitted that it’s hard for them to validate the apprehended wounded person due to the ongoing fighting between government troops and some remaining members of Abu Sayyaf in the towns of Albarka, Ungkaya Pukan, Tipo-tipo, at Mohamad Ajul, the last being the the place where Patarasa came from before he was brought to the Zamboanga City Hospital.
According to Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, PIO PRO-9, “Tutok yong tropa natin para sa identity ng taong ito at hindi natin tinitingnan yong isang side lang na sinasabi niya na siya ay biktima considering na may ongoing operation sa area ng Basilan and Sulu”.
The family of Patarasa denied the allegations of the Zamboanga Coast Guard. According to them, they had only picked the ‘unknown explosives’ that exploded near their home in Barangay Langil, Mohamad Ajul, Basilan.
(Jessie Mae Palma – Eagle News Service Corresponent, Zamboanga City)
