An Abu Sayyaf rebel leader who engineered the abductions of dozens of European and Asian hostages last year has been arrested in the southern Philippines, officials said Monday.
Security forces raided a Muslim rebel safehouse in a village near the southern city of General Santos on Sunday and arrested Nadjmi Sabdulla, 40, alias Commander Global, and three others, army commander Lieutenant General Jaime de los Santos said.
Military spokesman Brigadier General Edilberto Adan said the high-profile arrest occurred following a tip-off from an unidentified informant, who stood to receive a reward of five million pesos (96,153 dollars).
President Gloria Arroyo had offered bounties for the heads of Abu Sayyaf leaders after their latest kidnapping spree drove away tourists from Philippine resorts and rattled investors.
"We expect to uncover more personalities in the coming days as a result of this successful operation," de los Santos told a news conference.
Sabdulla was the brains behind the abduction last year of dozens of European, Malaysian and Filipino hostages seized in two beach resorts off the Malaysian section of Borneo island -- COTABATO, Philippines (AFP)
