A notorious Abu Sayyaf rebel long wanted by authorities for his involvement kidnappings and killings has been nabbed by security forces in Basilan province in the Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines.Police said Esmael Kawa alias Abu Esmael was arrested in the village of Lumbang in Isabela City and immediately transported to Zamboanga City where he is being interrogated by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
CIDG Director Benjamin Magalong said Kawa was involved in the kidnapping of 15 workers in Lantawan town in 2001 where most of the hostages were brutally killed. He said the capture of Kawa was a joint operation between the police and military forces.