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Thursday, February 07, 2008
Dos Palmas kidnapping suspect falls in Basilan
By Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- An Abu Sayyaf member believed to be involved in the 2001 kidnapping of 20 people including three Americans from the Dos Palmas Beach Resort in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan was arrested Tuesday in the province of Basilan.
Chief Inspector Albert Larubis, chief of the Isabela City police station, said the suspect was arrested around 12:45 p.m. in San Rafael village, Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province.
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Larubis identified the arrested suspect as Al-muadz Ismael.
He said Ismael was arrested for allegedly stealing a motorcycle that was found in his possession during his arrest.
Larubis said they later found out that he was a member of the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bandit group responsible for a series of kidnappings in the previous years.
He said Ismael has a standing warrant of arrest for a multiple murder case pending at a Basilan court aside from being a member of the Abu Sayyaf.
He said Ismael was involved in the killing of seven people, including an Army Scout Ranger, on October 15, 1997 in the village of Lunot, Isabela City.
Further investigation showed that Ismael is a follower of Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, who has been sought by the US government for the kidnapping and killing of three American citizens, Larubis added.
The three American citizens were among the 20 people the Abu Sayyaf bandits seized from the Dos Palmas Beach Resort in 2001.
The rest of the hostages are Filipinos that include businessmen on vacation with family members and resort workers.
One of the three Americans, Guillermo Sobero, was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf bandits in the forest of Basilan province.
The Abu Sayyaf bandits also killed missionary Martin Burnham when government raided their lair and rescued the hostages in 2001 in the hinterlands of Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.
Gracia, the wife of Martin, was also shot by the Abu Sayyaf bandits but she survived and was rescued by the government troops.
"It is possible that he (Ismael) was involved considering he is one of the followers of Hapilon," Larubis said. (Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (February 7, 2008 issue)
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