MANILA -- Security forces have arrested a member of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf who was involved in the kidnapping and subsequent killing of farmers in Lantawan town in Basilan more about 12 years ago.
Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo, Philippine National Police spokesman, named the suspect as Jailani Basirul, alias Bas and Angkig, a member of the Abu Sayyaf operating in Basilan -- a known bailiwick area of the terrorist group.
The police official said the suspect was arrested by forces of the Task Force Sanlahi around 7:10 a.m. Friday at the vicinity of Valderoza street in Zamboanga City.
He said Basirul was arrested by virtue of a warrant issued by a Basilan court in connection with the raid of the Golden Harvest Plantation in Tahiran village in Lantawan in January 2001.
Workers of the plantation were seized by the terrorists. Three of the victims ended up being killed.
Cerbo said a P600,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of Basirul. (VR/Sunnex)