TWO alleged members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were arrested in Taguig City over the weekend, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Tuesday, July 13, 2021.

Police said Taupik Galbun and Saik Galbun were arrested during the service of an arrest warrant in Upper Bicutan on Saturday, July 10.

Taupik was wanted for six counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention, and kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom. All the warrants were issued by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court in November 2009.

Saik was wanted for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom.

The arrested suspects were allegedly members of the group of the late Basilan-based ASG leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Bakal Hapilon.

The NCRPO said Taupik served as an outer guard for kidnap victims in Sulu and Basilan. He was also involved in the beheading of Primitivo Falcansantos, Crisanto Suela and Guillermo Sobero.

Saik was positively identified by one of the six members of religious group Jehovah’s Witness who were abducted while doing a door-to-door sale of cosmetic products on August 20, 2002 in Patikul, Sulu.

Two of those abducted were beheaded while the four remaining victims were rescued by the military after weeks of operations.

Police said Taupik and Saik were also tagged in the abduction of three teachers of Landang Gua Elementary School, Sacol Island in Zamboanga City on January 23, 2009. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)