Abu Sayyaf member wanted for mass kidnapping falls

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -- Police and Philippine Air Force personnel captured a suspected Abu Sayyaf member tagged in mass kidnapping in Basilan in a raid near the downtown area of this city at noon on Tuesday.

 

Senior Inspector Helen Galvez, spokesperson of Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO), identified the captured suspect as Usman Atalad -- also known by the aliases Atalad, Suhud Limaya and Hud. Atalad, 46, is from Jolo, Sulu but lives in Barangay San Jose Cawa-Cawa as a fruit vendor.

 

Galvez said elements of Police Station 4 led by Police Senior Inspector Elmer Solon and the 304th Air Intelligence Service Group led by 2nd Lt. Rex Bello launched the law enforcement operation after tracking down Atalad.

 

The joint security forces captured Atalad about 12:45 p.m. near the old public market at J.S Alano Street, Barangay Zone 1.

 

Galvez said Atalad has a standing warrant of arrest for seven counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by the Basilan court in January 2008.

 

The captured suspect is detained at Police Station 4 but will be turned over to the court.

 

Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office 9 (PRO) director, lauded the Zamboanga police for its continuing efforts in the hunt against the Abu Sayyaf in this part of the region as government forces intensify the operations against the militants blamed for a series of kidnappings in recent years.