Posted on 12/07/2003 7:01:22 AM PST by knighthawk
A TOP Abu Sayyaf rebel leader implicated in the kidnapping of dozens of mostly European hostages in April 2000 was captured in an operation in the southern Philippines today, the military chief said.
Galib Andang, popularly known as Commander Robot, was held after a gunfight on the island of Jolo, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Narciso Abaya said.
"This is one big step in our international fight against terrorism," Abaya said, without giving details.
Andang, who was wounded in the gunbattle, was part of a band of Abu Sayyaf members who raided Malaysian resorts in Sipadan island in April, 2000, seizing 21 European, Malaysian and Filipino hostages.
The hostages were released in batches over several months, allegedly in exchange for huge ransoms.
The Abu Sayyaf is a Muslim group branded as terrorists by Washington and Manila and said to have links with the al-Qaeda network of terror mastermind Osama bin Laden.
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