The Armed Forces of the Philippines yesterday confirmed the arrest of an Abu Sayyaf Group member who was among those who entered Bohol last month to kidnap foreign and local tourists.
AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the still unidentified ASG member was reportedly captured in a follow-up operation conducted by the police and military in the hinterlands of Barangay Tanawan, Tubigon, Bohol at about 7 a.m. yesterday.
A source initially identified the ASG member as “Abu Saad.”
The suspect, believed to be Saad Samad Kiram, 36, was knocking on doors of houses in the area asking for food.
One of the residents gave the suspect food but immediately informed barangay officials about his presence. The barangay officials reported his presence to the Army detachment in the area leading to his arrest while eating.
Abu Saad did not resist arrest. He reportedly admitted being one of the ASG men who arrived in Inabanga on April 11.
With his arrest, only two more ASG members are being pursued by authorities.
(Francis T. Wakefield and Mars W. Mosqueda Jr.)