Abu leader in Sipadan kidnapping captured

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Combined government forces on Tuesday captured a leader of the Abu Sayyaf terror group believed to be involved in a kidnapping incident 15 years ago.

Lt. Col. Audi Mongao, spokesman of Army’s 1st Division, identified the suspect as Ibni Acosta, captured around 10:26 p.m. Tuesday at Barangay Poblacion.

Acosta was cornered by the combined forces of the Special Forces Battalion, provincial police of Zamboanga Sibugay and intelligence unit of the Philippine Air Force through a warrant of arrest.

According to Mongao, Acosta has a standing warrant of arrest, issued by the Regional Trial Court in Pasig City, for 21 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with 2000 Sipadan kidnappings.

The Abu Sayyaf group, in April 2000, reportedly barged in a dive resort island of Sipadan, taking 21 hostages, including ten Malaysians, nine Europeans and two Filipino resort workers.  

The kidnap victims were released separately after payment of huge ransom in dollars.

Acosta was brought and placed under police tactical interrogation at the police headquarters of the region and would be properly turned over to the court.