Southcom spokesman Lt. Col. Danilo Servando said the seven bandits were captured in a dawn raid on their safehouse in Barangay Sta. Barbara on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued two years ago.
The captured bandits were identified as Basir Ibrahim Madjiril, Absar Halil Saraman, Abdul Hasir Bairula, Kusair Munir, Taupik Munir, Salim Baing Aralon and Kisar Saraman.
Servando said Basilan RTC Judge Danilo Bucoy issued warrants of arrest against the seven bandits on June 1 and July 13, 2000 for the kidnapping of Rev. Rhoel Gallardo, several teachers and students in Barangay Tumahubong in Sumisip, Basilan on March 20, 2000.
They are also accused of torturing and beheading Gallardo and five of the teachers as a gruesome "birthday gift" to deposed President Joseph Estrada.
Servando said the suspects were trying to divert the attention of troops pursuing their comrades who are holding hostage Filipina nurse Deborah Yap and American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham.
Earlier Southcom chief Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu revealed the possibility that the group was about to launch a kidnapping spree to disrupt the pursuit operations.
Cimatu also said the captured speedboat was likely to be used in a plan to slip the Abu Sayyaf hostages out of Basilan and turn them over to other Abu Sayyaf bandits based in nearby Sulu island.
But Servando dismissed reports that Yap and the Burnhams had already been slipped out of Basilan. – Roel Pareño