NEWSBRIEFS

ZAMBOANGA CITY

Abu financier nabbed

An alleged Abu Sayyaf financier was arrested in a joint police-military operation here on Sunday, according to Task Force Zamboanga Commander

Col. Andrelino Colina.

Sattar Abdulla was arrested in Tumalutab on Sacol Island based on a warrant issued by a local court for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, Colina said. He said Abdulla was the second suspect arrested in connection with the Jehovah’s Witnesses kidnapping after the capture on May 5 of Jumadil Jamran Usman, alias Ondil. Liza Jocson, Inquirer Mindanao

BENGUET

Rebel leader held

The Cordillera police arrested on Wednesday a suspected rebel leader who reportedly commanded the New People’s Army in Abra, Mountain Province and Ilocos Sur provinces.

Corsio Ganima, a Mountain Province resident, who supposedly went by the aliases Tribal or Toy-ob, was arrested at Sitio Tabangaoen, Barangay (village) Balili in La Trinidad.

Ganima has a P1.8-million reward for his capture in connection with his alleged role in the July 14, 2003, ambush of a military convoy that killed nine soldiers. Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon

SORSOGON

Fire razes public market

A 5-hour fire that started at  9:30 p.m. on Sunday razed the public market in Gubat town, affecting at least 150 stall holders and establishments.

The fire, which started in an eatery for still unknown reasons, spread so fast that the lone fire truck in the town, with 4,000 liters of water, was not able to contain it, said Gubat Mayor Roderick Co.

Co said firefighters from Barangay Abuyog of Sorsogon City and Pilar town helped put out   the fire that lasted until past 2 a.m. on  Monday. Juan Escandor Jr., Inquirer Southern Luzon