June 23, 2012, SunstarZamboanga, Abu Sayyaf sub-leader falls, by Bong Garcia,

June 23, 2012, SunstarZamboanga, Abu Sayyaf sub-leader falls, by Bong Garcia,

Combined police and military forces arrested an Abu Sayyaf mid-level leader in Zamboanga City Thursday afternoon.

The police identified the arrested Abu Sayyaf sub-leader as Alawie Pasihul, also known as Ustadz Alawie Jaji and Ustadz Usman.

Pasihul was nabbed around 3:10 p.m. Thursday along Rizal Street, Barangay Zone IV in downtown Zamboanga City.

The police said Pasihul is a brigadier general of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Special Force Command MinSuPala (Mindanao-Sulu and Palawan).

The police added that Pasihul is facing charges for kidnapping and serious illegal detention for his alleged involvement in the March 20, 2000 kidnapping of 54 people in Sumisip town in Basilan province.

The victims, mostly school children, teachers and the slain Claretian priest Fr. Roel Gallardo were seized by the Abu Sayyaf bandits from two schools in Barangay Tumahubong, Sumisip.

Pasihul was also allegedly involved in the November 27, 2002 Cabatangan siege by a group of Moro National Liberation Front rebels in Zamboanga City wherein more 100 people, including women and children, were held hostage. Original Link: