Abu Sayyaf leader captured in Philippines
19 October 2002, 13:49
Manila - A senior aide of slain Moslem Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Sabaya was arrested by the police in the Philippine capital, an official said Saturday.
Chief Superintendent Jaime Caringal said Mark Bolkerin Gumbahale was arrested Thursday in a Moslem enclave in Manila's Taguig town.
Caringal said Gumbahale, who has a five-million-peso (about R1-million) bounty on his head, was involved in the kidnapping of 21people from Malaysia's Sipadan island in April 2000.
Gumbahale was also involved in the beheading of nine soldiers and two civilian hostages in Basilan province in 1999, according to Caringal.
"During investigation the suspect admitted to perpetrating the crimes on orders of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadafi Janjalani and Abu Sabaya," he said.
The military said Sabaya was slain in a clash at sea with government troops in June but his body has not yet been recovered, raising speculation he might still be alive.
The Al-Queda-linked Abu Sayyaf is the smallest but most violent Moslem rebel group in the Philippines. The group was the main suspect in the recent bomb attacks in southern Philippines. - Sapa-DPA
Chief Superintendent Jaime Caringal said Mark Bolkerin Gumbahale was arrested Thursday in a Moslem enclave in Manila's Taguig town.
Caringal said Gumbahale, who has a five-million-peso (about R1-million) bounty on his head, was involved in the kidnapping of 21people from Malaysia's Sipadan island in April 2000.
Gumbahale was also involved in the beheading of nine soldiers and two civilian hostages in Basilan province in 1999, according to Caringal.
"During investigation the suspect admitted to perpetrating the crimes on orders of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadafi Janjalani and Abu Sabaya," he said.
The military said Sabaya was slain in a clash at sea with government troops in June but his body has not yet been recovered, raising speculation he might still be alive.
The Al-Queda-linked Abu Sayyaf is the smallest but most violent Moslem rebel group in the Philippines. The group was the main suspect in the recent bomb attacks in southern Philippines. - Sapa-DPA
