Wanted Abu Sayyaf gunman arrested in Davao City

KOTA KINABALU: Wanted notorious Abu Sayyaf sub-commander “Idang” Susukan (pic) has been arrested by the Philippines police in Davao City.

He was detained at the house of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari at 8.30pm yesterday.

It is learnt that he is being detained at the Davao City police office.

He has a total of 34 warrants of arrest against him for killings and kidnappings in the southern Philippines and east coast of Sabah.

The Star reported that the notorious gunman, whose real name is Abduljihad Susukan, was moving about freely in Davao City.

Regional intelligence sources said he came to Davao on Tuesday with Misuari and was seen walking unhindered in the city.

Idang is wanted in the Philippines and Malaysia for cross-border kidnappings in the east coast of Sabah and other criminal activities in Jolo Island in the southern Philippines.

Regional intelligence sources said Idang had surrendered to Misuari in Jolo Island in April this year.

Idang was involved in a spate of cross-border abductions in Sabah’s east coast since 2013, including Chinese national Gao Huayun and Filipina Marcy Darawan at the Singamata Reef Resort in Semporna waters on April 2,2014; Chinese national Yang Zai Lin from Wonderful Terrace fish farm in Lahad Datu on May 6,2014; and Malaysian Chan Sai Chun who was snatched from his fish farm in Kampung Sapang in Kunak on June 16,2014.

He was also involved in the kidnapping of Sarawakian tourist Bernard Then and Sabahan restaurant owner Thien Nyuk Fan from Ocean King Seafood Restaurant in Sandakan on May 14,2015.

Idang was involved in many direct and indirect negotiations for the release of hostages kidnapped from Sabah waters over the years.

He was also connected to the beheading of Then in Jolo Island on Nov 17,2015.