Posted on 12/07/2002 12:02:27 AM PST by HAL9000
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines, Dec 06, 2002 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- Soldiers have captured a suspected Muslim extremist who was allegedly involved in the kidnapping and beheading of an American hostage last year in the southern Philippines, an army commander said Saturday.Abu Baidar, alleged member of the extremist group Abu Sayyaf, was captured Friday in a remote village on Basilan island after residents tipped off the military to his presence, Basilan army commander Col. Bonifacio Ramos said.
Ramos said Baidar is suspected of taking part in the raid on the Dos Palmas resort in May 2001 when the Abu Sayyaf seized 17 Filipinos and three Americans - Guillermo Sobero of Corona, California, and missionary couple Gracia and Martin Burham.
The rebels beheaded Sobero on June 12, 2001, as an "Independence Day gift" to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Sobero's remains were found in the Basilan jungle four months later.
The resort raid was the start of a yearlong kidnapping spree in which the Abu Sayyaf seized more than 100 people. Some of the hostages were released after ransoms were paid, others escaped and about 18 were killed.
The resort raid prompted the United States to send more than 1,000 troops to the southern Philippines for a joint counterterrorism exercise aimed at helping Filipino soldiers wipe out the Abu Sayyaf, which has been linked by Washington to the al-Qaida terror network.
Martin Burham and Filipino nurse Ediborah Yap were killed in a rescue operation by U.S.-trained soldiers in June. Burnham's wife was wounded.
The counterterrorism exercise has been credited with helping Filipino troops break up the Abu Sayyaf and track down key leaders.
Copyright 2002 Associated Press, All rights reserved
Maybe they can teach us how to capture OBL.
Glad to see they are taking the war terror seriousily, unlike others.
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