2 Abus tagged in 2001 Palawan kidnapping fall

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – Two suspected Abu Sayyaf militants involved in the 2001 kidnapping of 20 tourists, including American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, in a Palawan resort, were captured in a Zamboanga del Norte village Wednesday night, the military said.

The suspects, identified as Jojo Imam Pai and a certain Aling, were nabbed by elements of the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade in Sitio Bukana, Barangay Usukan in Labason town, said Capt. Alberto Caber, spokesman of 1st Tabak Division.

Caber said the soldiers were armed with an arrest warrant in capturing the two suspects following month-long surveillance in the village.

He said the two were among those charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the Palawan kidnapping.