AN Abu Sayyaf (ASG) sub-leader involved in the kidnapping of an American missionary couple and a Filipina journalist years ago was nabbed by security forces in Basilan province on Wednesday morning.

Initial reports reaching the Philippine National Police (PNP) operations center in Camp Crame named the arrested ASG sub-leader as Abdula Alad, with aliases Salip Abdulla Magdal, Anwar Muda, Salip Abdullah and Abduwa Salip.

The reports said that Alad was nabbed by government security forces at about 10:30 a.m. during a law enforcement operation at the vicinity of Brgy. Malamawi in Isabela City, Basilan province.

The operation leading to Alad’s arrest was carried by elements of the Task Force
Sanglahi/Alpha, PNP’s 84th Special Action Coy, naval intelligence and police intelligence unit in Western Mindanao area, the reports said.

Alad was nabbed based on a warrant of arrest issued by the courts for kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges and he was also listed in the most wanted persons list of the DILG.

Alad, also a team leader of the ASG’s Urban Terror Group (UTG), is currently undergoing investigation and debriefing by military and police intelligence unit in Basilan, reports said.

The ASG-UTG is reportedly composed of members highly trained in bomb making, demolition and assassination.

Alad, who reportedly has a million peso reward for his capture, is a known follower of Sulu province-based ASG commanders, Global and Robot, both killed during the Bicutan siege on March 2005.

The reports added that Alad was among those involved in the kidnapping of American missionary couple, Martin and Gracia Burnham and was also involved in the kidnapping of a Filipina journalist in Sulu.