December 28, 2000, ABS-CBN, Abu Sayyaf leader captured in Manila,

December 28, 2000, ABS-CBN, Abu Sayyaf leader captured in Manila,

QUEZON CITY (ABS-CBN) - While the military in Mindanao appears clueless on the reported capture of high-ranking Abu Sayyaf leader Hector Janjalani, intelligence reports confirmed his capture by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) in Manila a few days back.

Janjalani, younger brother of slain Abu Sayyaf leader Abdurajak and current leader Khadafy, is said to be under the custody of the PAOCTF and undergoing tactical interrogation. 

The same report disclosed Janjalani was spotted on Christmas day at the Islamic Center in Quiapo district by operatives of the PAOCTF, National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police. 

"He may have been in Metro Manila to rest and take advantage of the busy holiday season" said an unimpeachable source. 

The same source however failed to explain how Janjalani broke through the tight military cordon in Sulu and Basilan. 

Janjalani heads the Abu Sayyaf's Special Staff and the Urban Demolitionists and Intelligence Staff, a position he has been holding since 1998. 

Prior to his arrest, the younger Janjalani was reportedly named temporary chief of the Abu Sayyaf in a special meeting on December 20 in a Basilan mosque. 

A sinister plot to launch bomb attacks in Zamboanga City and Basilan province on Christmas day was said to have been hatched during the said meeting. 

Among the other crimes linked to him are the attempted sabotage of President Joseph Estrada's visit to Basilan last year and the raid at the Ipil town plaza in Zamboanga del Sur in 1995.

That raid killed six armymen, including Maj. David Sabido.