Abu Sayyaf member tagged in Burnham couple abduction nabbed in Basilan

Police on Tuesday said authorities have captured an Abu Sayyaf member suspected of involvement in the 2001 kidnapping of three Americans and 17 Filipinos in the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan.

The suspect, Sonny Baki Barahim alias Abu Ismael, was arrested in house in Isabela, Basilan, by a combined police and military team, based on an arrest warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, the PNP said Tuesday.

The PNP said Barahim was one of the Abu Sayyaf armed guards of the kidnapped American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham in Basilan.

Martin Burnham was killed during a military rescue attempt in June 2002, during which Gracia Burnham was successfully rescued.

One of the American captives was beheaded by the militants. Most of the other captives either escaped or were ransomed off.

“[Barahim] had been trained in bomb-making and (had been) doing surveillance activities for bombing and kidnapping operations in Zamboanga City and Basilan province,” the PNP said in a statement.

Barahim is reportedly working under Abu Sayyaf leader Enteng Anjil who is in turn connected with Furudji Indama, according to the PNP.

His brother and fellow Abu Sayyaf member, Ibno Ismael alias Abu Kudano, is currently in detention at the PNP jail in Bicutan, Taguig, for various kidnapping cases. Dona Pazzibugan