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Southeast Asia
Abu Sayyaf leader nabbed
2014-08-28
A notorious terrorist, believed to be one of the masterminds behind several cross-border kidnappings with links to the Abu Sayyaf group, has been arrested in southern Philippines.

The man, identified as Apo Kahumbo who operated from the Tawi Tawi island chain, has been wanted by both the Philippine and Malaysian police for many years. He and his group of gunmen are also linked to another notorious gang of kidnappers headed by the Muktadil brothers, who have been identified by Malaysian police as being responsible for several recent abductions in Sabah.

Tawi Tawi police chief Col Joey Salido said that Kahumbo was detained early yesterday in a joint operation involving several security agencies on an island less than a half-hour boat ride from Sabah's east coast.

"We are also looking to verify whether or not he is responsible for a number of kidnappings in the Philippines and Sabah," Salido said, adding that Kahumbo would be charged if there was sufficient evidence.

Malaysian intelligence sources say Kahumbo was also known as Mubin Halil. The sources said Kahumbo might also have been responsible for the latest Pulau Mabul attack, during which Filipino gunmen fatally shot Marine Police Kpl Abdul Rajah Jamuan and kidnapped his colleague Kons Zakiah Aleip from a resort on July 12.

According to the sources, Kahumbo had been one of the masterminds responsible for several kidnappings in Semporna, Lahad Datu and Kunak since early this year.

Philippine intelligence sources based in Zamboanga City said Kahumbo was an Abu Sayyaf member based in Tawi Tawi where kidnap victims were usually taken to before being brought to the Abu Sayyaf lair on Jolo island. They believed Kahumbo commanded a gang of eight gunmen, identified only as Amilbangsa, Roslam, Tamsi, Seahorse, Abrasar, Adunay, Nikson and Darwin.

One source said, "Kahumbo's group is clan based. Most of the members are his relatives."

Intelligence sources also believed the Kahumbo gang and the Muktadil brothers with another group known as Anjang-Anjang were collaborating and supporting each other in the cross-border kidnappings.
Posted by:ryuge

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