Suspected Abu Sayyaf member arrested in Zamboanga City mall

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - An Abu Sayyaf suspect wanted for kidnapping was arrested by security forces inside a mall in this city on Saturday afternoon.

Intelligence units under Task Force ZambaSulta tracked down and arrested Johar Jaalam, an alleged Abu Sayyaf member, about 2 p.m. while he was reportedly purchasing some goods.

Jaalam has a standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping with serious illegal detention issued by the Regional Trial Court in this city.

The captured suspect was brought to the office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for documentation. The suspect is also being investigated for his possible terrorist connections as well as his intensions in the area where he was arrested.