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| Southeast Asia |
| Abu Sayyaf Suspect in Philippines Held |
| 2004-03-19 |
| Authorities said Friday they have arrested a Muslim guerrilla who confessed to kidnapping an American man in the southern Philippines four years ago. National police chief Hermogenes Ebdane said Alkis Asari Alih, 28, also known as Abu Jarin, was arrested March 13 in southern Zamboanga city. During initial interrogation, Alih, a member of the Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf, confessed to participating in the abduction of Jeffrey Schilling, a Muslim convert seized in August 2000 after traveling to an Abu Sayyaf camp on Jolo island, Ebdane said. Schilling, of Oakland, Calif., escaped after almost eight months in captivity. His abduction initially set off doubts whether he was a hostage because he voluntarily traveled to the camp with his Filipina girlfriend. But Schilling later testified that Abu Sabaya, one of the group's leaders, had refused to let him go on suspicion that he worked for the CIA. The al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf is notorious for kidnapping and beheading hostages. About a month after Schilling's escape, the guerrillas seized three Americans — Guillermo Sobero of Corona, Calif. and missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham of Wichita, Kan. Sobero was killed by the guerrillas and Martin Burnham died during a rescue raid. Gracia Burnham was wounded but was recovered by soldiers. Two of those captured, including Martin Burnham, died during a yearlong ordeal. Ebdane said Alih also confessed to having been one of the Burnhams' guards. The kidnapping spree prompted the United States to send troops and military instructors to help Filipino troops dislodge the rebels from their stronghold on Basilan island, near Jolo. The government says the Abu Sayyaf is now a spent force, down from about 1,000 members four years ago to about 300 now. |
| Posted by:Fred |