Lt. Gen. Narciso Abaya, Armed Forces Southern Command chief, said he could not identify the bandit leader because military intelligence agents are still interrogating him.
Abaya said the Abu Sayyaf chieftain, who surrendered last week, was not among the five bandit leaders wanted by the US government for the death of Americans Guillermo Sobero and Martin Burnham.
However, he holds a key position in the Abu Sayyaf, Abaya added.
In Sulu, troops arrested an Abu Sayyaf bandit during a raid in their safe house in a remote barangay in Jolo last Tuesday.
Abaya said the captured bandit is a henchman of Iting and Anni Sailani who were able to evade the raiders and flee to an unknown destination.
The Sailani brothers were seen in Sulu after bolting from Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig last month, disguised as Muslim women draped in black.
Troops have intensified their offensive in Basilan following reports of Abu Sayyaf movements but that they have not encountered the bandits, he added.
Meanwhile, Abaya said the kidnappers of Alvin Chua, marine and aquatics shop operator in Tawi-Tawi, have demanded P2-million ransom for the businessman’s freedom.
Abaya said the kidnappers belong to the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, which has been snatching hostages for ransom to keep its illegal activities going.
The kidnappers sent their ransom demand to Chua’s victims last week, he added.
Abaya said the troops in Sulu have been alerted on the latest kidnapping in case Chua is taken to that province where the Abu Sayyaf also operates.
Marines and policemen have blockaded Tawi-Tawi to prevent the kidnappers from fleeing to Sulu with Chua, he added.
Five hooded gunmen snatched the 24-year-old Chua in his shop at Chinese Pier in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi last Oct. 20.
The kidnappers later took Chua to the island Barangay of Punyangan.
Chua was the second businessman to be kidnapped in Bongao.
In November last year, Sherwin Caraig was snatched and brought to Sulu, where he was freed last month. –Roel Pareño