MANILA, Philippines - Two alleged members of terror group Abu Sayyaf were arrested in Zamboanga City , the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission said on Tuesday.
The PAOCC said authorities, armed with arrest warrant, nabbed Jimmy Nurilla, and Bakrin Haris in Brgy. Sangali, Zamboanga City last Monday in connection with the Kidnapping and Serious and Illegal Detention with Ransom case filed against a certain Walid.
Walid, however, managed to evade arrest during the conduct of the operation, PAOCC added.
PAOCC said that Nurilla and Haris were allegedly members of Abu Sayyaf engaged in the kidnap for ransom activities in Zamboanga City.
Authorities believe that the two have links to the Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf under the leadership of Furiji Indama and Khair Mundos, who was also arrested last week.
Nurilla and Haris were reportedly part of the group that involved in kidnap for ransom racket including the abduction of Australian Warren Rodwell, who was held in captivity for 15 months; Kevin Lunsman, an American who was kept in captivity for five months; Cathy Casipong, teacher from Sibogtok Elementary School in Limaong Island; and, businesswoman Sabrina Voon who is still in captivity.
The operation also resulted in the seizure of some subversive documents and explosives from the two men, PAOCC said.