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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Suspected ASG member wanted for kidnapping arrested by NBI

Suspected ASG member wanted for kidnapping arrested by NBI

Published May 12, 2021 01:41 pm

National Bureau of Investigation

A suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who has been wanted for the 2001 kidnapping of 15 workers from the Golden Harvest plantation in Basilan has been arrested, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Wednesday, May 12.

NBI Officer-in-Charge Director Eric B. Distor identified the suspect as Jamal Wahab, also known as “Ustadz Usman.”

Distor said Wahab was arrested in Maharlika Village in Taguig City last Friday, May 7, during a joint operation conducted by the NBI’s Counter-Terrorism Division (NBI-CTD), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

His arrest was based on a warrant issued by the Basilan regional trial court (RTC), Distor said. Wahab has been turned over to the NBI Detention Center.

“He may have eluded the law for almost 20 years but its long arm has finally caught up with him,” Distro stressed.

“Let me assure the public that the NBI will be unwavering in its drive to run after the members of this terrorist group,” he added.

“To date, the NBI has already arrested 27 members of the ASG since 2018,” he noted.

Wahab has been charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention before the trial court in the abduction of the 5 plantation workers.

His arrest was facilitated by an informant who pointed to Wahab at the Maharlika Village.

Following casing and surveillance operations, law enforcement operatives decided to proceed with the arrest after two witnesses positively identified Wahab as the same person involved in the 2001 kidnapping, the NBI said.

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