By Xinhua
Manila : Four children of a suspected Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist were taken into custody by Philippine military troops early Friday.
The children – aged nine, seven, five and two – of Jemaah Islamiyah militant Dulmatin were seized following a raid in southern Philippine island of Sulu, a spokesman for the Philippine Marines said Friday.
Navy, marines and National Police officials stormed an alleged safe-house of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group and the Jemaah Islamiyah militant in Bacung village, Tawi-Tawi, spokesman Ariel Caculitan told reporters.
"We neither confirm nor deny the presence of Dulmatin in the area. We don't want to compromise ongoing operations," he said.
The children would be turned over to the department of social welfare and development in Zamboanga city, he added.
Dulmatin's wife was arrested in Sulu last year. She has since been deported.
Dulmatin, who carries a $10-million bounty, is one of the alleged masterminds in the 2002 bombings in Bali, Indonesia, along with Umar Patek, said to be also hiding in southern Philippines.