Wife of detained ASG leader nabbed

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A wife of a detained Abu Sayyaf leader, charged to have participated  in the kidnapping of a nurse, was arrested by police while visiting her husband in a jail here, an official said  Monday.

Chief Inspector Elmer Acuña, commander of police station 6 said the arrested suspect  was nabbed following the issuance of a  warrant of arrest for kidnapping with serious illegal detention.

The woman, who claimed to be 17 years old, was with her seven-month old baby and three-year old son visiting her detained husband Benzar Indama, when she was arrested at the vicinity of the City Reformatory Center shortly before 11 a.m. Saturday along Varela Street this city.

Benzar, a mid-level militant leader and the brother of Abu Sayyaf leader Puruji Indama, was captured a few months ago in a gunbattle after the group bombed and attack Isabela City,  in Basilan in April 2010

Benzar's wife came from Kaumpurna in Isabela City and went straight to the detention facility when she was identified by police “spotters” who immediately informed the Police Station 6, according to Acuña.

“She is listed under the warrant of arrest for the kidnapping of a nurse,” Acuña said referring to the abduction of Preciosa “Chuchay” Feliciano, 24, in Barangay Tetuan this city in July 2008.

Based on the  charge sheet filed in court, the suspect acted as one of the caretakers while Feliciano was held captive in Barangay Kurelem, Tipo-Tipo town, Basilan by the Abu Sayyaf group.

Feliciano was released by her captors in November in the same year after the family reportedly paid some P1.8-million in ransom.

Acuña said they were also checking the claims of the woman as being a minor because she failed to show documents.

Hakim and her children are presently detained and reunited with her husband at the City Reformatory Center.