Sayyaf suspect nabbed

Authorities arrested over the weekend a suspected Abu Sayyaf bandit tagged as among those who carried out the spate of bomb attacks in General Santos City.

Joint military and police intelligence agents arrested Andy Budiang in Barangay Poblacion Glan, Sarangani after residents tipped off police of his presence there late Saturday.

Budiang is now undergoing tactical interrogation by military intelligence.

An intelligence official said Budiang is also being investigated about reports that he was privy to alleged plans by the Abu Sayyaf to bomb key cities across the country during Holy Week.

"Budiang is now being interrogated by intelligence officers in connection with the bandits’ plan to carry out bombings in Metro Manila and other parts of the country in the aftermath of the killing of three of their leaders," the official said.

Security forces have been alerted on the plans of Muslim extremists to launch terror attacks during Holy Week in retaliation for the deaths of Abu Sayyaf detainees in a jail revolt at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City last week.

The three Abu Sayyaf leaders killed were Alhamser Limbong, alias Kosovo; Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot; and Nadjmi Sabdula, alias Commander Global.

Police and military intelligence communities have mobilized field operatives to help track down seven extremists who are said to be targeting churches, shopping malls and other public places during Lent.

Budiang, on the other hand, is wanted for the Valentine’s Day attacks that rocked General Santos City and killed a child and injured a number of people last February.

The Abu Sayyaf has owned up to the Valentine’s Day bombings that also struck Davao City and Makati City. The almost simultaneous bombings left a total of 13 people dead and over 100 people injured.

Police said Budiang has a pending warrant of arrest for multiple murder and frustrated murder charges stemming from previous bomb attacks in the city.