Police arrest 2 Abu Sayyaf suspects in 2011 kidnappings

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities on Saturday said they had arrested two Abu Sayyaf suspects tagged in the 2011 kidnappings in Basilan during an operation inside a mall here.

Senior Insp. Sheila Tubo-Chang, the spokesperson of the Zamboanga City Police Office, said Emran Sanduyugan Ismael (alias Bantong Basinti and Bantong Basiri) and Bryan Ismail Mohammad (alias Pojong Attiun) were arrested on Friday evening by operatives of the Regional Intelligence Unit inside a mall on La Purisima Street.

Tubo-Chang said the arresting operatives had a warrant of arrest.

“They conducted law enforcement operation by serving warrant of arrest against the duo,” Tubo-Chang said.

She said Ismael and Mohammad were facing kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges at the Regional Trial Court Branch 9 in Isabela City in connection with the 2011 kidnappings at the Golden Harvest Plantation in Lantawan, Basilan.

Tubo-Chang said, based on court records, Ismael and Mohammad were tagged by at least two witnesses as among bandits involved in the kidnappings there, particularly the June 11 incident, during which 15 people were taken hostage and two others were killed. /atm