Abu Sayyaf sub-commander falls

Philippine National Police chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Authorities arrested Tuesday a suspected sub-commander of Islamic extremist group Abu Sayyaf in Central Mindanao tagged in the kidnapping of plantation workers in Basilan in 2001, Philippine National Police chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome said Wednesday.

Bartolome said Sali Basal Taib, who is known by the aliases “Gonggong Sali” and “Abu Husni,” was arrested near the Barangay (village) Wal Primary School in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, shortly before noon Tuesday by intelligence operatives of Task Force Sanglahi-A Mindanao Team.

He said Taib, who has a P3.3 bounty for his arrest, is among the principal suspects in the kidnapping for ransom and serious illegal detention of 10 workers of the Golden Harvest Plantation in Lantawan, Basilan in June 2001 filed before a Regional Trial Court in Isabela City, Basilan.

The PNP chief said a confidential informant provided the vital information that led to Taib’s arrest.

Taib will be presented before the court upon completion of all procedural requirements.