Top Abu Sayyaf commander nabbed

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, JULY 9. The Philippine authorities claim to have nabbed a top operative of the Abu Sayyaf outfit - responsible for the kidnapping of 20 persons, including three American nationals from a southern island resort some six weeks ago.

Nadjmi Sabdullah, better known as ``Commander Global'', was arrested on Sunday night in what is being seen as a ``success'' for the Government in the battle against the deadly gang, which specialises in kidnapping.

``The No. 1 effect is psychological... now they are realising that wherever they go, they can be captured. They might be able to stage a raid, but they will be pursued and cannot hide,'' the military spokesman, Brig-Gen. Edilberto Adan, was quoted as saying at a press conference in Manila today.

With the group continuing to hold the hostages taken from the Dos Palmas beach resort on May 27, there has been mounting pressure on the Government to do something about the Abu Sayyaf.

Sabdullah, dubbed as the ``think-tank'' of the group, is said to be personally responsible for planning the May 27 kidnapping and moving the hostages around after the incident.

The 40-year-old leader of the Abu Sayyaf was arrested from General Santos City following the nabbing of another suspect from the same area on Friday.

The ``prized catch'' was displayed at the press conference, but ``Commander Global'' merely shook his head when reporters asked him for a comment.

In the meantime, the military claimed that the hostages had been split into three groups by the Abu Sayyaf in what appeared to be a bid to evade capture and increase mobility.

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Section  : International
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