Abu suspect captured in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Military and intelligence agents captured a suspected Abu Sayyaf bandit linked to kidnappings in Isabela City, Basilan Wednesday.

Ismael Cawa, alias Abu Ismael, has standing arrest warrants for eight counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention charges, the military said.

Reports from the Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade said Cawa was spotted in Sitio Balawatin at around 10:30 a.m.

Lt. Col. Eliglen Villaflor, commander of the 4th Special Forces Battalion, said Cawa was allegedly involved in the kidnapping of plantation workers in Lantawan town in 2001 and of 20 tourists from Dos Palmas Resort.