Alleged Abu Sayyaf member nabbed in Zamboanga City

MANILA, Philippines—Authorities have arrested in Zamboanga City a suspected member of the Abu Sayaff Group tagged in several high-profile kidnapping cases in Western Mindanao, a Philippine National Police official said Wednesday.

Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., PNP spokesman, said Algaber “Talha” Said was arrested at the Gateway Shoppers Center in Zamboanga City around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday by combined elements of police and military.

Said was implicated in the Tumahubong kidnapping, Goldden Harvest Plantation kidnapping and at the Lamitan siege where he allegedly used as human shield over 20 hospital staff and patients of the Dr. Torres Memorial Hospital in Basilan in June 2001.

Cerbo also said that Said served as a “spotter” for the group in its kidnap for ransom activities.

Said had a P600,000 bounty for his arrest, he said.

The arrested suspect was brought to the National Bureau of Investigation’s Regional Office 9 in Zamboanga City for investigation and proper disposition, Cerbo said.