KOTA KINABALU: Two suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen high on the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) wanted list were arrested by the Philippines police on Friday (June 17).
Regional intelligence sources confirmed that the two - Ben Tatto (Ben Quinrino Ahaddi) and Al Mujir Yadah - were nabbed at around 8am.
Sources said Ben was believed to be involved in at least three kidnappings in Sabah, while the other was part of the ASG, but was not directly part of any incidents in the state.
The kidnappings that Ben was allegedly to have been part of included the Ocean King Seafood Restaurant incident in Sandakan on May 14, 2015, and a fish farm in Kunak district on June 16, 2014.
In the Sandakan kidnapping, the victims were Thien Nyuk Fun and Bernard Then, a Sarawakian, who were 50 and 39 years old back then.
Thien was released on Nov 8, but Then was beheaded on Nov 17, 2015.
In the Kunak case, the victim Chan Sai Chuin, 32, was released on Dec 9, 2014.
“The suspects surrendered in January, but are now only officially arrested,” said the source.
Their arrests come days after 12 terrorists, some of whom were believed to be the followers of Abu Sayyaf commander Radullan Sahiron, surrendered to the Philippines authorities on June 10.
