2 Abu Sayyaf nabbed in Taguig

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf terror group were arrested in Taguig over the weekend, police said yesterday.

Taupik Galbun, 40, was served an arrest warrant for six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 266 in 2009.

Galbun, also known as Pa Wahid, reportedly served under the late leaders Isnilon and Bakal Hapilon as an outer guard for kidnap victims in Sulu and Basilan.

Police said Galbun was involved in beheading Primitivo Falcansantos, Crisanto Suela and Guillermo Sobero as well as kidnapping three teachers in Zamboanga City in January 2009.

He was also supposedly involved in the kidnapping of six members of the Jehovah’s Witness in Sulu in August 2002. Two of the victims were beheaded while four were rescued by the military after weeks of operations.

Arrested along with Galbun was another alleged Abu Sayyaf member identified as Saik Galbun, also known as Pa Tanda. A witness said Saik was reportedly among those who kidnapped the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Both suspects are in the custody of the Southern Police District’s special operations unit.