Abu suspect in 2001 Basilan kidnap case falls

Authorities have arrested a suspected Abu Sayyaf bandit allegedly involved in the beheading and kidnapping of farm workers in Basilan province about six years ago. Radio station dzBB on Monday identified the suspect as Abu Usman, who was nabbed at the Port Area of Isabela City in Basilan. Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao, police chief for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said the suspect was possibly involved in the Abu Sayyaf siege of the Golden Harvest Plantation in Lantawan, Basilan in June 2001. According to previous Malacañang statements, nine male civilians were beheaded, one was shot dead while 30 others were abducted during the Golden Harvest incident. Usman allegedly faces three criminal cases including kidnapping and serious illegal detention, the radio report said. He is now at the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) headquarters in Zamboanga City and is set to undergo tactical interrogation. - GMANews.TV