ZAMBOANGA CITY — A lady village chief allegedly involved in the 2015 kidnapping of three foreigners and a Filipina on Samal Island was arrested government security forces arrested during law enforcement operation Saturday in a village of Indanan town, according to an official.
Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) chief, identified the suspect as Fauzia Abdulla, chairperson of Barangay Niyog Sangahan, Talipao town.
Dela Vega said the joint forces of Sulu Police and JTFS arrested Adulla about 11:15 a.m. with a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Dax Gonzaga Xenos of the 11th Judicial Regional Branch 34 of Panabo City.
The case against Abdulla was in connection with the kidnapping of Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipina Marites Flor from a resort on Samal Island last September 21, said Dela Vega.
Police and military disclosed that the four victims were brought to Sulu by the Abu Sayyaf.
Ridsdel and Hall got beheaded separately last April and June while Flor and Sekkingstad were released September this year.
The police reported that Abdulla was reportedly providing sanctuary, information network and food to the Abu Sayyaf. They added that she is often involved in managing and decision-making within the terror group.
Dela Vega said Abdulla was brought by arresting troops to the Sulu Provincial Police Office (SPPO) for proper documentation and processing.
"The arrest of Abdulla is a product of intensified cooperation between the people of Sulu and our soldiers and policemen in protecting local communities from the scourge of terrorism,” Dela Vega said.
The military official said soldiers will continue to conduct combat operations to crush the Abu Sayyaf and rescue the remaining hostages in Sulu.