ZAMBOANGA CITY – A third Abu Sayyaf terrorist involved in the kidnapping of ABS-CBN anchor Ces Drilon and her three companions has been captured in Sulu.
Munhamer Sattari alias Brain Damage, a follower of slain Abu Sayyaf commander Mujib Susukan, is now in the custody of the 3rd Marine Brigade in Camp Teodolfo Bautista in Busbus, Jolo.
An official source, who asked not to be named as he is not allowed to give a public statement, said Sattari was captured by Marines led by Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan at Barangay Kandang, Maimbung at about 5:35 p.m. Tuesday.
The Marines did not issue a statement on the capture of Sattari, who has a standing warrant of arrest for four counts of frustrated murder.
Sattari is also believed to have been involved in the kidnapping of 21 tourists, mostly Europeans, in the Sipadan resort off Sabah in April 2000.
The Sipadan kidnapping was spearheaded by Susukan and Ghalib Andang alias Commander Robot, who were both killed in encounters with troops.
Earlier, Col. Eugenio Clemen, 3rd Marine Brigade commander, said they have already identified most of the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers of
Drilon and pinpointed their whereabouts.
“We expect there will be more arrests in the coming days,” he said.
Drilon asked to identify suspect
Police have asked Drilon to identify her third suspected kidnapper.
Officials of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said they would check with Drilon if she could recognize Sattari.
Earlier, Drilon said she could identify all those who held her captive during the 10 days they were held in the jungles of Sulu.
“I remember their faces,” she said.
Two suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists arrested in Timpook, Patikul, Sulu last Friday are believed to belong to the group that snatched Drilon and three others in Sulu last June 8. – Roel Pareño, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Jaime Laude