PETALING JAYA: Filipino police and military have captured an Abu Sayyaf gunman involved in the kidnapping of two Malaysians and a Korean man in southern Philippines, according to a report.
The Mindanao Examiner reported Sunday citing officials as saying that they had nabbed Saddam Jailani, a follower of Abu Sayyaf leader Alhabsi Misaya, at the Port of Jolo on Friday.
Jailani is said to be linked to the group who kidnapped Malaysians, Bernard Then and Thien Nyuk Fun in May, and South Korean Hong Nwi-Seong in January.
Thien has since been released on Nov 8, and Then was beheaded on Nov 17. Hong was found dead on Oct 31. He reportedly died due to an illness while he was held hostage
Jailani is being held by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police.
The capture of Jailani came a day after Filipino troops seized six Abu Sayyaf automatic rifles in the village of Bonbon in Patikul town following a tip-off by civilians.
The Mindanao Examiner also reported that two members - Menu Maganaka and Rex Bacana - of the rebel group Pentagon in Kabacan town in North Cotabato province were captured.
The authorities seized one automatic rifle and three .45-caliber pistols and 11 magazines from the duo.