Alleged Abu Sayyaf member caught

MANILA, Philippines — A man suspected of being a member of the Abu Sayyaf terror group was arrested in Taguig on Friday.

Wahab Jamal, also known Ustadz Usman Halipa, 53, an imam, was apprehended along Marawi street in Barangay Maharlika Village at around 7 p.m. by operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Special Action Force, Naval Intelligence Support Group-NCR and the National Bureau of Investigation.

Jamal is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Taguig Regional Trial Court Judge Lorifel Pahimna.

He reportedly joined the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon in kidnapping eight workers of the Golden Harvest Plantation in Lantawan town, Basilan in June 2001, according to NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr.