October 18, 2012, Sun Star, Abu Sayyaf mid-level leader nabbed, by Bong Garcia,

October 18, 2012, Sun Star, Abu Sayyaf mid-level leader nabbed, by Bong Garcia,

JOINT police and military forces have arrested an Abu Sayyaf mid-level leader who was involved in the kidnapping of 20 people in Dos Palmas, Palawan last May 27, 2001, the police reported.

The police identified the arrested Abu Sayyaf leader as Abdula Alad who also dons the aliases "Salip Abdulla Magdal", "Anwar Muda", "Salip Abdulla", and "Abduwa Salip."

Police said Alad was arrested around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Malamawi Island, Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province.

Alad was arrested on the strength of warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, the police said.

The police said Alad was involved in the kidnapping of 20 people including three Americans, namely Guillermo Sobero and couple Martin and Gracia Burnham. The other victims are workers of Dos Palmas resort and vacationers.

Alad has served as mid-level leader to the late Abu Sayyaf commanders namely Nadzmie Saabtula alias Commander Global and Ghalib Andang alias Commander Robot, the police said.