The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Christmas eve the arrest of a key suspect in the kidnapping of three foreigners and a Filipina in Samal Island five years ago.
PNP chief, General Debold Sinas--citing information from National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Major General Vicente Danao Jr.--said suspect Jehan Aklul alias Khalid Akhalul/Abu Khalid was captured at 1:50 a.m. on the fifth floor of a rented unit along Carlos Palanca Street, Barangay 648, San Miguel, Manila.
A joint police-military intelligence team conducted the operation that led to Aklul's arrest.
Sinas said Aklul is the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by the regional trial court (RTC), 11th Judicial Region Branch 34 of Panabo City for the crime of kidnapping with homicide in criminal case No. CrC 113-2016.
Also nabbed in the operation was Mohammad Amara Muslimin, 30, for possession of two hand grenades, detonating cord, and one blasting cap inside their rented residence.
Police records link Aklul in the kidnapping of Canadian nationals John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian national Kjartan Sekkingstad, and Hall's Filipina girlfriend Marines Flor, in Samal Island, Davao del Norte on September 21, 2015.
Sekkingstad is the manager of Holiday Ocean View resort in Samal, where the four hostages were kidnapped. Local terror faction Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) later owned up to the abductions.
The victims were transferred to Sulu from Samal. While in the process of negotiation, the two Canadians were beheaded while the Norwegian and the Filipina were released later in 2017.