Abu Sayyaf kidnap suspect nabbed in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A joint unit of police and Air Force personnel arrested on Saturday a suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf group wanted for his involvement in kidnapping cases in Basilan more than 14 years ago.

Police inspector Elmer Solo, chief of Police Stations 3, led the operation in a coastal village in Zamboanga with the police regional Intelligence Service Group (AISG) to hunt for Basir Kadir Juljani alias Abu Omar.

Juljani was captured around 5:30 p.m. in Barangay Sangali, Solo said.

The suspect has standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by Judge Leo Jay Principe of Branch 1 9th Judicial Region based in Isabela City, Basilan.

Juljani is accused of being among those behind the kidnapping of seven plantation farmers sometime in 2001 in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan town, Basilan.