By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Authorities nabbed a former member of the extremist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) wanted for kidnapping in Zamboanga City on Monday after 15 years in hiding.
In a statement Tuesday, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said Abu Raba, 52, was arrested by CIDG Basulta (Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi) operatives at Barangay Dita, Zamboanga City.
Raba has a standing arrest warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by a court in Isabela City, Basilan in July 2009.
Torre said Raba belonged to the command of the late ASG leader Isnilon Hapilon, who led the terrorist group’s Basilan base.
He was allegedly involved in the Golden Harvest kidnapping incident in Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan in 2001, as well as extortion, armed encounters, killings and ambuscades of military forces in Basilan.
After he was ordered arrested by the local court, Raba went into hiding and frequently changed and transferred residences from Basilan to other islands of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and Zamboanga Peninsula to evade arrest.
“I commend the CIDG BASULTA Provincial Field Units, particularly the Sulu Provincial Field Unit for capturing this fugitive who has been on the run for almost 16 years. Thank you for your persistence and unyielding effort in pursuing and finally catching the suspect who is transferring from Basilan to Zamboanga. With this arrest, we helped the victims attain the justice they all deserved,” said Torre. (PNA)
