Alleged Abu Sayyaf member nabbed in Taguig

MANILA, Philippines – A suspected Abu Sayyaf member wanted for the 2001 Lamitan siege with a P350,000 prize on his head was arrested in a high-end condominium building in Global City, Taguig, where he worked as a security guard, the Philippine National Police said.

The suspect, Imam Arabani Jakiran, 39, has a standing warrant for his arrest on a charge of kidnapping for ransom issued by Judge Danilo Buloy of Branch 2 of the 9th Judicial Region in Isabela, Basilan.

A suspected Abu Sayaff member has been arrested in a hotel in Taguig City, a report on Radyo Inquirer said Friday.

He was arrested in front of the Pacific Plaza Towers around 6 a.m. on Thursday by members of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and intelligence operatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Chief Superintendent Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr., Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director, announced the arrest on Friday.

He said Jakiran, who reportedly also goes by the name Abdurahim Gustaham Arabani, had been working at the Pacific Plaza Towers as a security guard.

While he is a native of Asturias in Jolo, Sulu, the suspect reportedly had taken up residence at 103 Mujahedeen Street, Salam Compound in Barangay Culiat, Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

Senior Superintendent Joel Coronel, chief of the CIDG-NCR, said Jakiran was among the Abu Sayyaf bandits under Sahiron Hapilon who holed themselves up in the Dr. Jose Maria Torres Memorial Hospital in Lamitan, Basilan, on June 2, 2001 where the bandits abducted a number of hospital staff and patients to use as human shields in their escape.

Coronel said Jakiran was also involved in the Golden Harvest Plantation kidnapping in Lantawan, Basilan, on June 11, 2001.

To Philippine National Police chief Director General Raul Bacalzo, Jakiran’s arrest was the result of the government’s intensified operations against members of the Al Qaeda-linked ASG and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

Bacalzo said the arrest showed the police force’s readiness in proactively dealing with terrorist threats by beefing up its preemptive campaign and manhunt against known terrorists and other wanted persons.