Abu man wanted for Sipadan raid nabbed

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Elements of the Navy’s anti-terror unit captured an Abu Sayyaf leader, who carried a $20,000 (roughly P1.12 million) bounty on his head for his role in the 2000 raid on the Malaysian resort island of Sipadan, in Tawi-Tawi last week.

Navy Capt. Arnel Gonzales, chief of Naval Task Force 62, said the suspect, Jundan Jamalul, alias Commander Black Killer, a henchman of Abu Sayyaf leaders Radullan Sahiron and Ghalib Andang, was arrested last Sept. 21 along with his followers Nahalan Bagil, Tonimal Paraka, Haron Padan, Tinan Jundan Usman, Ittig Jundan and Rizal Paraka in Barangay Paniongan, Bongao town.

Gonzales said Jamalul was one of those involved in the Sipadan raid where the Abu Sayyaf took hostage 21 mostly foreign tourists.

The extremist group brought the hostages to Sulu and subsequently freed them in batches upon payment of ransom in dollars.

Col. Juancho Sabban, commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade based in Patikul, Sulu, said Jamalul operated in Sulu and used Tawi-Tawi for his rest and recreation.