Abu Sayyaf member in Burnham couple’s 2001 abduction nabbed in Basilan

MANILA, Philippines—An alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf involved in the May 2001 kidnapping of guests at the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan was arrested Tuesday morning in Isabela City in Basilan, the Philippine National Police said.

The suspect, Sonny Baki Barahim, alias Abu Ismael, was arrested by members of the PNP Special Action Force, PNP Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of Region IX and local police and military officers based on an arrest warrant for a kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

The PNP said Barahim was one of the Abu Sayyaf bandits who held the kidnapped American missionary couple Martin and Grace Burnham and several others hostage in Basilan.

Martin was killed while Grace was rescued during a military operation in June 2002.

“The subject had been trained in bomb making and (was) doing surveillance activities for bombing and kidnapping operations in Zamboanga City and Basilan province,” the PNP said in a statement issued Tuesday.

Barahim was reportedly working under Abu Sayyaf leader Enteng Anjil who in turn was connected with Abu Sayyaf leader Purudji Indama, according to the PNP.

His brother and fellow Abu Sayyaf member, Ibno Ismael, alias Abu Kudano, is currently detained at the PNP jail in Bicutan, Taguig, for various kidnapping cases.—With Jamie Marie Elona, INQUIRER.net