A suspected member of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf wanted for kidnapping and illegal detention charges was arrested by local police in Zamboanga City on Monday afternoon, a military spokesperson said Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesperson for the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command, said that Abu Isaac was arrested by local cops at the Zamboanga City Central Market past 3 p.m. Monday.
The bandit group member was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by Judge Leo Jay Principe of the Basilan Regional Trial Court Branch 1.
Abu Isaac was allegedly involved in two separate kidnapping incidents carried out by the Abu Sayyaf in 2000 and 2001. He is currently detained at an Philippine Air Force base in Zamboanga City, according to Cabangbang.
The Abu Sayyaf has been largely blamed for spate of bombing and kidnapping incidents not only in southern Philippines, but also in Metro Manila.
Since early 2000, American troops have been going in and out of southern Philippines purportedly to train their Filipino counterparts in addressing the terrorist threat in the volatile region.
The continued stay of the US troops, however, has elicited criticisms from leftist groups, who claimed that foreign troops going after local armed groups violates the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
Both Philippine and US officials, however, maintained that American troops are not directly taking part in combat operations in the country. — with Andreo Calonzo/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV
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