4 Sayyaf members nabbed in Malaysia now under PNP custody

MANILA, Philippines — Four alleged Abu Sayyaf militants who were arrested in Malaysia arrived in Manila Wednesday and were placed under custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP), a radio report said. Radio dzBB’s Tuesday Niu reported that the suspects were immediately whisked off to PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City from the airport, and were taken to the Intelligence office for interrogation. The Philippines earlier sought custody of the four terror suspects on allegations that they took part in the kidnapping of 21 European tourists and Asian resort workers in 2000 from a dive resort in Sipadan, Malaysian and taken to Jolo Island in the southern Philippines. All the hostages were freed after the militants received huge ransom payments reportedly funded by Libya. Ricardo Blancaflor of the Philippine Anti-Terrorism Council has said the four were separately arrested in recent years and have been held by Malaysian authorities for non-terrorism offenses, including violation of Malaysia's immigration laws. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Malaysia agreed to transfer the suspected members of the brutal Abu Sayyaf group, and that the agreement shows the importance of regional cooperation in battling terrorism. Malaysian authorities together with the PNP are expected to launch follow-up operations for the possible arrest of other Abu Sayyaf members in Malaysia, the report said. The PNP, meanwhile, are set to craft their own report to be submitted to the Malaysian authorities following the turnover. - Aie B. See, GMANews.TV