Abu Sayyaf bandit tagged in 2002 Jehovah's Witnesses members kidnapping nabbed

Suspect arrested in Philippine capital Manila.

The suspect was allegedly involved in the kidnapping of Jehovah's Witnesses members in Sulu province on August 20, 2002. (File pic for general Abu Sayyaf members illustration)

MANILA: A suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member tagged in the 2002 kidnapping of six members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses has been arrested in the Philippine capital city of Manila, police said.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), in a statement Tuesday, said Muktar Yusop Maani was arrested in an apartment building in Quiapo district, Manila, on March 2. 

A court had authorised his arrest for alleged kidnapping for ransom and serious illegal detention.

According to the NCRPO, Maani was involved in the kidnapping of the Jehovah's Witnesses members in Patikul, Sulu province, on August 20, 2002.

The NCRPO also said that the suspect was an active member of the Abu Sayyaf operating in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, and Metro Manila.

Maani was brought to the Anti-Terrorism Task Group’s Regional Intelligence Division for processing and temporary detention at its custodial facility.

Meanwhile, another ASG member surrendered to the military in the southern Basilan province on Mar 12, said the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) in a statement.

The subject also handed over his cal. 30 M1 Garand rifle and one clip magazine with eight ammunition.

The former violent extremist was lying low status after his leader, Radzmil Jannatul, was killed during an encounter with government forces in March 2022. 

Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, the Westmincom commander, commended the former violent extremist for making the right decision to return to society.