Suspect in 2015 Samal Island kidnapping arrested after 5 years

MANILA, Philippines—A suspect in the kidnapping of three foreigners and a Filipino woman in Samal Island in 2015 was arrested early on Thursday (Dec. 24) by police in a district in Manila near Malacanang Palace.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Debold Sinas said the suspect, Jehan Aklul, aka Khalid Akhlahul or Abu Khalid, was arrested in San Miguel, Manila, an area near Malacanang.

Aklul was subject of an arrest warrant issued by a court in Panabo City for a case of kidnapping with homicide.

Arrested with Aklul was Mohammad Amara Muslimin for possession of two hand grenades, detonating cord and one blasting cap which were found in their apartment.

Sinas, citing police records, said Aklul was involved in the kidnapping of John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Canadian nationals, Kjartan Sekkingstad, a Norwegian and a certain Tess, a Filipino woman in Samal Island on Sept. 21, 2015.

The captives were moved to Sulu from Samal, but in the process of negotiations, the two Canadians were beheaded while the Norwegian and Filipino woman were released in 2017.

TSB