Abu Sayyaf man nabbed in Jolo, Sulu

MANILA – A suspected Abu Sayyaf Group leader who led the abduction of two European birdwatchers in Tawi-Tawi last year has been arrested, police said Thursday. Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbita, Sulu provincial police office provincial director, said Haik Asgali alias "Abu Aswad" was arrested yesterday through a joint military-police operation in Barangay Martires in Jolo, sulu. "He is the nephew of Radulan Sahiron. He was involved in a series of kidnapping incidents, significantly a kidnapping in Tawi-Tawi wherein two European birdwatchers were abducted," he said. The police chief said Aswad was unarmed during the time of his arrest. The suspected Abu Sayyaf man will be brought to Zamboanga City to face trial, he added. Orbita said he expects Aswad's arrest to have an "emotional effect" on Sahiron. MORNINGS@ANC, December 26, 2013