Jailed Abu bandit faces more kidnap raps  

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines —  An Abu Sayyaf bandit detained for his alleged involvement in a string of kidnappings is facing more charges.

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Zamboanga peninsula field unit as well as the Anti-Kidnapping Group served an arrest warrant for Suhud Salasim, alias Ben Wagas, 48, a native of Isabela, Basilan, at his detention cell at Camp General Navarro in this city.

Jolo Regional Trial Court 9th Judicial Region Branch 3 Judge Alsad Alfad Jr. issued the warrant for four counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

The serving of the warrant is part of the CIDG’s Oplan Pagtutugis.

Salasim was tagged in the kidnapping of five Indonesian crewmembers of a fishing boat on Jan. 15, 2020 in the waters off Sandakan in Sabah.

The Abu Sayyaf bandit had earlier been charged in connection with the kidnapping of five members of the Jehovah’s Witness in Sulu in 2001, two of whom were beheaded, and 21 tourists and two Filipinos in Sipadan in 2000.