Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Alleged Sayyaf Man Captured In Basilan Island

BASILAN, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 1, 2008) – Security forces have arrested an alleged member of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group in the southern Philippine island of Basilan, military reports said.

The reports said soldiers apprehended the suspect at the weekend at a military checkpoint in Isabela City, but security spokesmen declined to give any statement about the arrest.

Security forces are battling the Abu Sayyaf and the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Basilan. The MILF blamed the military for the renewed hostilities on the island, saying, troops were attacking rebel forces. It also denied military allegations that rebels had colluded with the Abu Sayyaf.

Authorities have linked both groups to the kidnapping last week of five workers of the Basilan Electric Cooperative, Inc., in Tuburan town. One hostage was freed to bring a two-million pesos ransom demand to the families of the captives. (Rex Montebon)

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