Abu Sayyaf member captured in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY – An Abu Sayyaf member believed to be involved in the massacre of a farmer at the height of the Dol Palmas kidnapping in 2001 was captured by military operatives Sunday night in Isabela City, Basilan.

Military officials of the Western Mindanao Command identified the captured suspect as Abu Usaman, who was nabbed by elements of the Military Intelligence Group 9 (MIG), Naval Intelligence Special Group, and Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) at the port area.

The suspect was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by the Basilan Regional Trial Court (RTC).

The military tagged Usaman as one of the Abu Sayyaf who raided the Golden Harvest Plantation in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan took five civilian farmers and beheaded two of the victims.

The incident took place at the height of the Dos Palmas kidnapping where the Abu Sayyaf beheaded American captive Guillermo Sobero. A week later the group raided the farmers in Lantawan. It was not immediately known if the captured Abu Sayyaf suspect will be presented to the media.