Suspected kidnapper arrested in Zamboanga del Sur

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -- A suspected member of a kidnap-for-ransom gang implicated in the abduction of foreign missionaries and teachers was arrested in a town in Zamboanga del Sur on Thursday, police announced Friday.

Police Superintendent Rogelio Alabata, spokesperson for the Zamboanga peninsula police, identified the suspect as Benhar Attan Abdusalam, 44, also known by the aliases Jaylene, Helen and Rajak.

Alabata said Abdusalam, a native of Barangay Pampang, Lapuyan town, was tracked down and arrested at Purok Guinhuran Bae, Barangay Poblacion on Thursday morning.

According to Alabata, Abdusalam is a member of the Abdusalam Criminal Group based in Zamboanga Sibugay. The group has been tagged in the abductions of Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi, Irish missionary Michael Sinnott and of public school teachers in Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay.

He said Abdusalam is facing charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom and has standing warrants.

Abdusalam is being detained at the Lapuyan Municipal Police Station before being brought to court.