Troops nab Abu Sayyaf member involved in 2009 priest kidnapping

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - Intelligence officers captured an Abu Sayyaf member allegedly involved in the kidnapping of two foreign missionaries, a police official said today.   

Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) under Col. Andrelino Colina, and intelligence operatives from the Regional Police Safety Battalion (RPSB) arrested Muktar Amin alias Putot Ogis Jakaria about 4:30 p. m., local time Monday, said Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo.

Amin has a standing warrant of arrest for illegal detention, robbery and kidnapping. De Ocampo said Amin was involved in the kidnapping of Italian priest Fr. Giancarlo Bossi in June 2007 and Irish priest Fr. Michael Sinnot in 2009. Both were freed after payment of ransom.

Amin's three other companions, who were identified as Sadat Amilhamja, Allan Nader, and Najal Hail, were also arrested. De Ocampo said these three companions will be investigated and will be released anytime if they have no criminal record.