Alleged Abu Sayyaf man nabbed in Basilan

Philippine security forces arrested on Monday afternoon an alleged Abu Sayyaf bandit in Basilan province, the third time a member of the al Qaeda-linked group fell into government hands since late last week. Police Director Felicisimo Khu, chief of the directorate for integrated police operations in Western Mindanao, identified the suspected Abu Sayyaf member as Abdurahman Andang, who goes by the aliases Abu Nas Sen or Abu Nas. Andang was nabbed by a joint military-police team in Barangay Tabuk in Isabela City around 1:30 p.m. Andang was then brought to Zamboanga City for proper documentation. Andang's arrest came as government security forces are on heightened alert for possible retaliatory attacks by followers of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden who was killed by US special forces in Pakistan last week. On Friday, suspected Abu Sayyaf member Imam Arabani Jakiran was arrested in Taguig City. At the time of his arrest, Jakiran was working as a security guard of a posh condominium in the area. Police said Jakiran was allegedly involved in the following incidents: