Sayyaf man involved in Lamitan siege captured

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Navy intelligence agents captured last Wednesday a suspected Abu Sayyaf member who allegedly took part in the Dr. Jose Maria Torres Hospital and St. Peter’s Church siege in Lamitan, Basilan two years ago, Armed Forces Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Kyamko reported yesterday.

Kyamko said the suspect, Roman Isnani, 18, a native of Lantawan town in Basilan, was apprehended by elements of the Naval Intelligence Service Group (NISG) in downtown Isabela City.

Aside from the Lamitan siege, Kyamko said Isnani was also involved in the Golden Harvest Inc. raid in which the Abu Sayyaf took at least 15 farmers as hostages.

The suspect is presently undergoing tactical interrogation under the NISG which Kyamko hopes would lead to the capture of the remnants of the Abu Sayyaf and its leaders.

The Lamitan siege is considered one of the turning points in the Dos Palmas kidnapping saga two years ago.

Abu Sayyaf bandits, with hostages in tow, including Americans Martin and Gracia Burnham and Guillermo Sobero, sought refuge and treatment at the Jose Maria Torres Hospital after an encounter with pursuing government troops.

More than 200 soldiers were able to surround the hospital.

The kidnappers, however, were able to escape with additional hostages through the hospital’s back door.

During the Independence Day celebrations last year, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo renamed the Lamitan hospital to Edilborah Yap Hospital in honor of its former head nurse who was also taken by the Abu Sayyaf during its escape.

Yap died in the hands of her kidnappers.