MANILA: An Abu Sayyaf terrorist, involved in the infamous Pulau Sipadan kidnapping in Sabah, Malaysia in 2000, was arrested in Indanan, Sulu.
The bandit, Mahari Aradji was identified as one of those involved in kidnapping 21 people, including 10 international tourists, from the former resort island, Philstar.com reported.
Aradji, 67, was apprehended in Sitio Tugamot in Barangay Katian, according to Major William Maisog, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi field unit commander.
A team of CIDG operatives led by Senior M/Sgt. Rogelio Hortillas and 7th Special Action Battalion members served the arrest warrant in the wee hours on Wednesday at the location, believed to be his hideout.
Maisog said Aradji escaped from the Sulu provincial jail in 2009. He is facing double murder charges issued by the Parang Regional Trial Court 9th Judicial Region Branch 4.
Aradji was a follower of the late Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot, who kidnapped the 10 tourists from European countries and the Middle East, nine Malaysians and two Filipino resort workers.
Most of the captives were released in batches after payment of ransom demands.
Andang, who was eventually arrested after four years, was killed along with two other Abu Sayyaf leaders and 20 inmates during a jail siege here in 2005.