Suspected Abu Sayyaf henchman captured

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A suspected henchman of Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang has been captured by government troops near the military headquarters in Jolo, Sulu.

Andang, alias Commander Robot, was the leader of the Abu Sayyaf band that snatched 21 mostly European tourists from the Sipadan island resort off Sabah on Easter Sunday, 2000.

Havier Ahajan Jalad, 27, a native of Samak, Talipao and suspected urban terrorist, was the second to fall within two days of intense military surveillance of the Abu Sayyaf urban squad.

Brig. Gen. Alexander Aleo, commander of the Army’s 104th Brigade, said yesterday Jalad was arrested after a military "spotter" had identified him.

Jalad was arrested after Army troops under the 41st Infantry Battalion raided an Abu Sayyaf hideout in Jolo, he added.

Jalad was nabbed a day after the military captured Nidzmar Maang, 20, while reportedly spying on Camp General Bautista in Barangay Busbus.

Jalad and Maang have been placed under tactical interrogation as troops and policemen tightened security following reports that an Abu Sayyaf urban terrorist squad had been sent to Jolo and other highly populated places in Sulu.

Aleo said troops have been scouring the jungles of Sulu in search of Abu Sayyaf bandits who had broken into small groups. – Roel Pareño