Philippines arrest Abu Sayyaf suspect in kidnap
Associated Press, Manila, Philippines | Wed, 02/15/2012 3:40 PM
KOMPAS.comPhilippine police officers and soldiers have arrested an alleged
member of the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf militant group suspected of
involvement in numerous kidnappings, including those of American and European
tourists.
Police Senior Superintendent Generoso Bonifacio says fish trader
Abdulhan Ussih was arrested Tuesday after three months of surveillance in
southern Zamboanga city. The suspect carries a $77,000 bounty.
Bonifacio said Wednesday that Ussih has denied any link with the Abu
Sayyaf and the kidnappings.
The militants seized
European tourists from the Malaysian resort of Sipadan in 2000 and three
Americans and 17 Filipinos from the Philippine resort of Dos Palmas in 2001.
The militants beheaded one of the Americans and another died during a military
rescue.
