June 22, 2012, Xinhua, Abu Sayyaf sub-leader captured in S. Philippines,

June 22, 2012, Xinhua, Abu Sayyaf sub-leader captured in S. Philippines,

ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Government troops have captured a sub-leader of the rogue group Abu Sayyaf in southern Philippines, police said on Friday.

Regional police director Napoleon Estilles identified the arrested suspect as Alawie Sadduri Pasihul alias Ustadz Asman who was tagged in the mass abduction of students and teachers in the southern Philippine province of Basilan 12 years ago.

Estilles disclosed that police and naval intelligence operatives had put Pasihul under surveillance for weeks.

Government security forces was able to corner the Abu Sayyaf sub-leader in Pattit Barracks, Barangay Zone 4 in Zamboanga City at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Pasihul did not resist arrest, said the police officer.

The sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf has a standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping with serious illegal detention in connection with the mass abduction of pupils and teachers from Claret school in Barangay Tumahubong, Sumisip town in 2000.

June 18, 2012, Xinhua, Philippine gov't confirms Jordanian journalist in hands of terrorist Abu Sayyaf group,

MANILA, June 18 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government confirmed on Monday that the Jordanian journalist and his two Filipino companions are now in the hands of the local terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group.

"What we can confirm is that he (along with the two Filipinos) is in the hands of ASG and that he went there voluntarily for an interview," Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing on Monday.

But Lacierda could not say if Baker Abdulla Atyani, Southeast Asia bureau chief of the Al-Arabiya's TV, and his Filipino cameramen Ramelito Vela and Roland Letrico could already be considered hostages by the extremist group.

"No, we have no confirmation as to that effect. What we can confirm is that he went there voluntarily to interview the Abu Sayyaf Group. It is also confirmed that he has on another occasion had the opportunity to interview Abu Sayyaf head previously," Lacierda said.

Citing information from Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, he said that the Jordanian and his two companions were seen riding a vehicle voluntarily on June 12 at around 5:00 a.m. and they declined the security offered to them by the local government official.

Even if it was uncertain whether the three had been taken hostage, the spokesman reiterated the government's "no ransom" policy.

He said that Tan, who head the crisis committee, has been communicating with the Abu Sayyaf group.