2 suspected Abu Sayyaf members tagged in Basilan kidnap case fall

NBI agents announce the arrest of two suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group who were captured in separated places in Manila and Taguig. The two, Ibno Ismael and Totoni Hairon, were arrested for eight counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention cases. INQUIRER photo / Marianne Bermudez

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were arrested in separate operations in Taguig and Manila, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Tuesday.

The NBI identified the suspects as Ibno Ismael alias “Abu Kodano” and Totoni Hairon.

NBI Assistant Director for Intelligence Service Eric Distor said the arrest of the suspects was enforced based on the arrest warrants issued by Basilan Regional Trial Court. The two are facing eight counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention cases in relation to the 2001 Golden Harvest Kidnapping Case in Basilan.

The NBI said Ismael was working as a construction worker in Taguig while Hairon was working as a security guard in Port Area in Manila.

Operatives of the NBI-Counter Terrorism Division (NBI-CTD) and counterparts from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) launched an entrapment operation against Ismael in Maharlika, Taguig City on June 26.

Agents of NBI-CTD, NBI-Technical Intelligence Division and AFP members conducted follow-up operation and apprehended Hairon at South Harbor, Port Area in Manila.

The ASG members are detained at the NBI Detention Facility as they will transfer to Zamboanga City Jail. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)