ASG member caught in Zamboanga mall

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Intelligence and law enforcement operatives captured inside a mall a suspected Abu Sayyaf member tagged in mass abductions in Basilan, during a tracking operation Tuesday in this city, a security official said.

Police here said captured Algaber Said alias Talha was in a food chain outlet inside the Gateway Shopping Center, along Gov. Lim Avenue, when he was cornered by the intelligence personnel of the police Special Action Force, 300th air intelligence group of the Philippine Air Force and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Said’s arrest came barely four days when intelligence operatives also captured Abu Sayyaf suspect Walid Amping alias Tuma in a village west of this city.

Authorities said Said is the sixth Abu Sayyaf member to fall in the series of arrests in Basilan and this city in this month alone.

The arrest of Said brought mild commotion among surprised shoppers inside the mall.

The suspect, tagged to be involved in the mass abduction of students, teachers and a priest in Tumahubong, Sumisip town in March 2000, was immediately whisked to the NBI office here.

Said, carrying a bounty reward of P600,000 issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government, was also allegedly involved in the 2001 siege in Lamitan City, Tairan plantation raid and abduction of workers.