A high-profile member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), wanted for a series of grave crimes, has turned himself in to authorities in Zamboanga City, marking a significant development in the region's security landscape.
Surrender of a Wanted Man
The individual, identified by police only as alias "Mundi," 33, from Patikul, Sulu, chose to surrender voluntarily. The event took place on Tuesday, December 23, at approximately 4:00 in the afternoon. Mundi presented himself at Camp Colonel Romeo Abendan in Mercedes village, Zamboanga City, which serves as the headquarters for the Police Regional Office in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
String of Serious Criminal Charges
According to official reports, Mundi is not an ordinary follower. He carries the weight of multiple arrest warrants issued by a court in Zamboanga del Norte. The charges against him are severe and include:
- Multiple murder with multiple frustrated murder
- Two counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention
- Violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2022
His notoriety extends beyond the police. Mundi is also prominently featured on the watchlist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Authorities revealed he ranks as the 8th most wanted in the entire Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and holds the 6th spot in the provincial watchlist of Sulu.
Firearm Turned Over and Current Custody
As a gesture of his surrender, Mundi turned over one 7.62-caliber M1 Garand rifle to the apprehending officers. Following the procedure, he was placed under the custody of the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) of the PRO–Zamboanga Peninsula. He is currently undergoing documentation and processing for the proper legal disposition of his cases.
The police announced the successful surrender on Sunday, December 28, providing details of the operation that occurred earlier in the week. This event underscores ongoing efforts to encourage members of armed groups to return to the fold of the law and face justice through peaceful means.
