Sayyaf man tagged in beheadings arrested

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – An Abu Sayyaf bandit tagged in the kidnapping and beheading of members of Jehovah’s Witness  in Sulu, was arrested Friday night in a remote village in this city, security officials said yesterday.

Walid Amping, has the aliases Alexander Antonio and Tuma, city police  officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent James Mejia said.

Combined forces of police Station 9, Task Force Zamboanga headed by Col. Glen Macasero and the intelligence unit of the 3rd Air Division captured Amping at around 11:20 p.m in the village of Tulongatong.

Amping was arrested on the strength of warrant of arrest issued by the Pasig regional trial court last Nov. 5, 2009 for six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention. 

Six Jehovah’s Witness members were kidnapped on Aug. 20, 2002 in Patikul town. Two of the victims were beheaded.