Two Abus in Sipadan kidnapping nabbed

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Two Abu Sayyaf gunmen implicated in the kidnapping of 21 people, including several European tourists, from a resort island off Sabah in 2000 have been arrested in an island near Basilan.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Daniel Lucero said an informer led Marines and Navy commandos on Tuesday to the hideout of the two wanted men in Barangay Sangboy Island off Lantawan.

Salasim Suhod alias Abu Suhod, and Suhud Asirin alias Abu Rashid have also admitted taking part in the kidnapping of a big number of elementary students and their teachers in Basilan three years ago.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Narciso Abaya said the two who both carry a P1-million bounty on their heads were arrested on the strength of a warrant issued by Judge Danilo Bucoy of the Isabela City, Basilan Regional Trial Court, branch 2 .

No bail has been recommended, he added.

Abaya said the two are the theologians and spiritual leaders of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khaddafi Janjalani.

Suhod and Asirin are Nos. 23 and 24 in the most wanted list of Abu Sayyaf leaders, he added.

Lt. Gen. Roy Kyamko, Armed Forces Southern Command chief, said Suhod and Asirin were plotting to launch a series of bombings in Mindanao.

Security has been tightened in their probable targets, he added.

Kyamko said the Armed Forces will continue the relentless campaign against the Abu Sayyaf despite allegations that some military officials are selling weapons to rebels and other outlaws.

"The AFP will continue to run after the members of the Abu Sayyaf group, whose strength continues to wear down with the capture of their leaders and members one after the other," he said.

Suhod and Asirin are undergoing tactical interrogation at the headquarters of naval intelligence, he added.

An Abu Sayyaf band snatched the 21 tourists and resort workers, which also included Filipinos and Malaysians, from the Sipadan island resort off Sabah in 2000 and took them to Jolo island, where they were held for months and later released one by one after millions of dollars in ransom were reportedly made.

Many of the gunmen behind the kidnapping have since been arrested but the ringleaders have remained at large.

The Abu Sayyaf has been linked by the United States and Philippine governments to al-Qaeda network of Osama bin Laden. — Roel Pareño, AFP