Suspect in Sipadan kidnapping falls

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf tagged in the kidnapping of 21 tourists at a resort in Sipadan, Malaysia 18 years ago was arrested in a coastal village in this city on Friday.

Police said Hadji Faizal Radjae, 54, was collared by personnel of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion, Regional Intelligence Unit and Zamboanga City police in Sitio Marangan, Barangay Tumitus.

Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran, Zamboanga peninsula police director, said the arrest was based on a warrant issued by a court in Sulu.

Beltran said Radjae was with the group of slain Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot.

Radjae was also a suspect in recent bombings in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.