Abu Sayyaf man tied to Dos Palmas, Sipadan abductions arrested

THe National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday announced the arrest of a suspected member of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) by its operatives together with the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Special Action Force (SAF) in Taguig City last week.

NBI Director Dante A. Gierran identified the suspect as Salahim Dawani aka Abu Moadz, who is wanted for his role in the kidnapping of several workers of the Golden Harvest Plantation in Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan, in 2001.

Dawani also allegedly served as one of the Abu Sayyaf members who helped in guarding the Dos Palmas, Palawan, kidnap victims, including American nationals Martin and Gracia Burnham.

The NBI said the suspect was also part of the augmentation force of the ASG who kidnapped them at the diving resort in Sipadan, Pulao, in Sabah on April 23, 2000, and guarded the Sipadan kidnapping victims when they were brought to Talipao and Patikul,Sulu.

Dawani was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court of Basilan.

Witnesses said Dawani was with the group who burned down houses in the area and decapitated plantation workers Primitivo Falcasantos and Crisanto Suela. NBI said witnesses also disclosed that the suspect was seen being trained by foreign terrorist fighters in assembling improvised explosive devices. Joel R. San Juan