MANILA, Philippines - Security forces on Tuesday arrested a suspected sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who has several strings of criminal cases, during an operation in Lamitan City, Basilan.
Police operatives nabbed Nasser Usman around 1:15 a.m. at Barangay Tandung Ahas, Lamitan City.
Usman, allegedly figured in the Lamitan siege in 2001, has a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Danilo Bucoy of the Regional Trial Court Branch 2 of Isabela City for kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges.
Nasser, who was an ASG sub-leader for Islamic Propagation and Indoctrination based at Brgy Tandung Ahas, Lamitan City during the time of ASG Founder Ustadz Abdurajak Janjalani, was also involved in the 1995 Ipil Siege.
During the siege, ASG members disguised as military men and raided the town of Ipil in Zamboanga del Sur. Fifty-three people were killed, banks and shops were looted during the attack while the group took around 30 hostages as they escaped town.
Moreover, Usman reportedly took part in Tumahubong kidnapping in 2000 wherein ASG abducted several teachers and students from two schools in Tumahubong, Sumisip, Basilan.
A priest and three teachers who were among the kidnap victims were found dead on May 3, 2000.