He also earned his master's degree in Marine Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Abu also earned some units while studying Bachelor of Laws at Adamson University in Manila, but dropped out a few months later.

He also served as the head of the Philippine delegation during the International Maritime Organization Conventions in three different locations, in London, in South Korea and in Thailand,[2] as well as in seminars in Canada, United States, Hawaii, United Kingdom, France, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, and on Western Australia.

[3] Abu's operational assignments also include being a staff member of three directorate offices, namely the Weapons, Communications and Information System (CG-11), Ships and Aircraft Repair and Maintenance (CG-10), and Education and Training (CG-12).

After his tour of duty within Task Force Taal, he was assigned under the Joint Task Force COVID Shield as a senior representative for the implementation of lockdown restrictions amidst the implementation of the Enhanced community quarantine status in Luzon in March 2020.

On February 28, 2022, Abu was named as the new Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, replacing Vice Admiral Eduardo D. Fabricante, who served as the Officer-in-Charge of the PCG.