October 17, 2012, GMA News, Suspected Abu Sayyaf leader with P3.3-M bounty arrested in Sultan Kudarat,

October 17, 2012, GMA News, Suspected Abu Sayyaf leader with P3.3-M bounty arrested in Sultan Kudarat,

A suspected sub-commander of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group with a P3.3-million bounty was arrested by police intelligence operatives in Sultan Kudarat before noon Tuesday.

The suspect, identified as Sali Basal Taib [a.k.a Gonggong Sali/Abu Husni], is allegedly involved in the 2001 kidnapping incident in Basilan where over a dozen coconut plantation workers were seized, two of them subsequently beheaded.

A police report said Taib was arrested near the Barangay Wal primary school in Palimbang town by police operatives belonging to Task Force Sanglahi.

National Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome said the suspect has a standing warrant of arrest for a kidnapping for ransom and serious illegal detention charges. 

Taib is reportedly involved in the June 2001 abduction of workers from the Golden Harvest coconut plantation in Lantawan town in Basilan. At least two of the workers were reportedly beheaded.

Authorities have linked the Abu Sayyaf and its allies to a number of bombing and kidnapping activities not only in southern Philippines but also in the National Capital Region. — RSJ, GMA News