Abu man in Basilan kidnappings falls

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – An alleged Abu Sayyaf leader tagged in a series of kidnapping incidents in Basilan and the Zamboanga Peninsula was captured in Zamboanga Sibugay on Saturday, officials reported yesterday.

Bon Sarapbil, alias Von and Kalbo, was arrested by military and police officers in Barangay Poblacion in Imelda town at around 10:20 a.m., said Senior Superintendent Robert Roy Bahian, chief of the Zamboanga Sibugay police office.

Bahian said the suspect was involved in a series of kidnappings in Basilan and the Zamboanga Peninsula from 2009 to 2011.

Authorities are verifying if Sarapbil was involved in the kidnapping of Australian Warren Richard Rodwell in 2012 and Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi in 2007.