(UPDATE) 2 suspected Abu Sayyaf members captured in Zamboanga

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Two suspected members of terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group involved in the kidnapping of two foreign nationals were arrested in Zamboanga city yesterday, police said today.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) named the two suspects as Jimmy Nurilla, alias Doc; and Bakrin Haris, who are described as active members of the Abu Sayyaf operating in the city.

Nurilla and Haris were nabbed by joint forces from PAOCC, police and military in Sangali village by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by a Zamboanga City court for kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

A co-accused in the case, one certain Walid, was able to escape.

Nurilla and Haris are said to be part of the group that kidnapped Australian retired serviceman Warren Rodwell in December 2011 in Zamboanga Sibugay province and US teenager Kevin Lunsmann in July 2001 in Zamboanga City.

Rodwell was freed by his captors 15 months later after a ransom was paid and Lunsmann escaped in December 2001.

The Abu Sayyaf was founded in the 1990s and had since perpetrated a number of high-profile attacks, including kidnapping and bombing. The Philippine military estimates the Abu Sayyaf, which has links with international terrorist organizations, has about 400 members at present.