Abu Sayyaf man in Dos Palmas kidnapping falls

Police and military intelligence operatives have captured over the weekend a member of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf, long wanted for his role in a string of kidnapping activities involving American nationals, including the 2001 Dos Palmas incident. A police report identified the suspect as Hajer Sailani alias Martin Alvarez, who was captured inside a mall in Cotabato City Sunday afternoon. "He has also a monetary reward of P350,000 for his neutralization," the report said, adding that Sailani is now undergoing tactical interrogation. According to security officials, Sailani was involved in the abduction of American Jeffrey Schilling in Sulu sometime in 2000. Schilling was recovered by elements of the Philippine Marines on April 12, 2001. In May 2001, Sailani allegedly took part in the kidnapping of 20 foreign and local tourists at the posh Dos Palmas resort in Palawan in western Philippines. Among those seized were US missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham. A number of other hostages were released reportedly after paying ransom but not the Burnham couple. In June 2002, rescue operations resulted in the recovery of Gracia but not her husband, who was caught in the crossfire. Just recently, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo renewed her directives for the military and police to crush the Abu Sayyaf bandits following the August 12 encounter in Basilan where 23 government troops got killed. [See: Arroyo vows again to finish Abu Sayyaf after Basilan clash] - GMANews.TV