A suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf was arrested in a composite government operation in Basilan province before dawn Tuesday, a regional police official said.
Police said Abdulpattah Ismael was arrested in Riverside village in Isabela City by virtue of an arrest warrant.
"Nang nahuli siya mag-isa siya. Ang paghuli madali kasi very precise ang information. Pagdating ng tao roon na-surveillance mabuti ang lugar, alam kung saan at hitsura niya," police Region 9 head Chief Superintendent Ramon Estilles said in an interview on dzBB radio.
Estilles said Ismael did not resist arrest. He said the arrest was a joint operation of the Navy, the National Police's Special Action Force, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and regional police.
Also, he said their informants who led them to Ismael are now under the witness protection program.
Ismael had been linked to atrocities involving the Abu Sayyaf, including the beheading of Marines in 2007.
"We believe he's still very active (in the Abu Sayyaf). Ngayon may standing arrest warrants," he said.
He also said Ismael is now undergoing tactical interrogation by intelligence units.
"I believe high-ranking member ng Abu Sayyaf, kasi pag-involved sa maraming atrocities, naniniwala kami na mataaas ang katungkulan," he said.
Authorities have linked the Abu Sayyaf to the al Qaeda terrorist network, including the Jemaah Islamiyah which operates in souteast Asia. The group has been linked to a number of kidnapping and bombing activities not only in Mindanao but also in Metro Manila.
Authorities have linked the Abu Sayyaf to the al Qaeda terrorist network, including the Jemaah Islamiyah which operates in souteast Asia. The group has been linked to a number of kidnapping and bombing activities not only in Mindanao but also in Metro Manila.
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RSJ,
GMA News Online
February 21, 2012 12:50pm
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