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ZAMBOANGA (Philippines) - AN ISLAMIC extremist involved in the kidnapping of foreign tourists from a Malaysian resort in 2000 has been arrested in the southern Philippines, police said on Wednesday.
Usman Sahari, a member of the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group, was arrested in the southern city of Zamboanga last week but his capture was not announced until he had been interrogated, said Superintendent Angelito Casimiro.
Mr Sahari has reportedly admitted that he piloted the speedboat that took Abu Sayyaf gunmen to a Malaysian resort in Sipadan, where they abducted 10 Western and nine Malaysian tourists and two Filipino resort workers.
He said he was not aware that his group was on a kidnapping mission until they arrived in Sipadan.
Many of the hostages were released from captivity in the southern island of Jolo only after huge ransom payments were made.
The rest were freed after a military assault.
The Abu Sayyaf has been active in the Philippines, involved in mass kidnappings and bombings in public places. -- AFP
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