During a counter-terrorism operation, police arrested an alleged courier of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Basilan province, a top police official said Wednesday.

According to Col. Richard Verceles, operations chief of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, Insani Joy Samla was apprehended around 5:50 p.m. on Tuesday in Lantawan, Basilan, in Barangay Lantawan Proper.

According to Verceles, Samla served as the courier of food, medical supplies, and ammunition for the ASG bandits based in Basilan province.

A local court in Isabela City, Basilan on May 8, 2017 issued a standing arrest warrant for frustrated murder with multiple attempted murder.

Samla is the uncle of late ASG leader Isnilon Hapilon, who was appointed as the "emir" of Islamic State forces in the country, according to Verceles.

Isnilon was killed along with Omar Maute, one of the leaders of the Maute local terror group, on October 16, 2017 during the Marawi City siege.

Samla was taken to the Lantawan municipal police station for documentation before being transferred to the province's Isabela City police.