KOTA KINABALU: An Abu Sayyaf gunman believed to have been involved in a kidnapping at a Sandakan restaurant in 2015 has been arrested by the Philippines police, according to regional intelligence sources.
Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu Commander Maj-Gen Ignatius N. Patrimonio confirmed that Ben Quirino Ahaddi @ Ben Tatto, an Abu Sayyaf group sub-leader, was picked up at about 8am yesterday.
The 41-year-old is believed to have been involved in the kidnapping of Sarawakian Bernard Then, who was subsequently beheaded following failed negotiations, and Thien Nyuk Fun at the Ocean King Seafood restaurant on May 14 that year.
Thien, a Sabahan who was 50 at the time, was released six months later.
Besides Ben, Mujer Yadah, another Abu Sayyaf sub-leader high on the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) wanted list, was also arrested.
Both were under senior kidnap-for-ransom leader Apo Mike, who was killed in a gunfight with Philippine security forces not long ago.
Ben was believed to have been involved in at least three kidnappings in Sabah while Mujer was not directly part of any incident in the state.
Ben is also allegedly linked with a kidnapping at a fish farm in Kunak district on June 16, 2014.
Sources said prior to their arrest, the two suspects had surrendered themselves to Philippine authorities in January.
Their arrest comes days after 12 terrorists, some of whom were believed to be followers of Abu Sayyaf commander Radullan Sahiron, surrendered to the authorities on June 10.
Esscom commander Deputy Comm Hamzah Ahmad said it would provide cooperation and assistance to Philippine authorities when required, but has yet to decide whether to conduct its own follow-up here.
