Abu tagged in Sipadan kidnap falls

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – An Abu Sayyaf member accused of taking part in the 2000 kidnapping of European tourists in the Malaysian island resort of Sipadan has been arrested, the military said yesterday.

Security forces arrested the suspect, known variously as Arabi Sali or Amil Sali, in a raid Tuesday in Tawi-Tawi, said Army Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang.

“He is charged... for his role in the kidnappings,” Cabangbang said.

He said Sali was part of an Abu Sayyaf unit that raided the dive resort of Sipadan in April 2000 and abducted 21 people, mostly European tourists, and held them hostage for over a year in the southern Philippines.

The military said the hostages were ransomed off for several million dollars.

Sali was also tagged in the roadside bombing that killed two US soldiers in 2009.