Major Filemon Tan Jr, spokesman of the Philippine Army Western Mindanao Command, said Sehar Muloc also known as Abner Muloc and Kumander Red Eye was arrested in a predawn operation by joint military and police operatives in Barangay Kaliantana, Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay.
"The 'eye' of the Abu Sayyaf group kidnap for ransom fell into the hands of the joint elements of the military under the Joint Task Force ZAMPELAN and the police in a law enforcement operation," Tan said in a press statement.
Tan said Muloc has a direct link to ASG sub-leader Idang Susukan and is allegedly being utilized by the Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf in many kidnapping operations in Zamboanga Peninsula.
Susukan is a brother of Sulu based Abu Sayyaf leader Mujiv Susukan, and has been linked by the military to the beheading of Malaysian hostage Bernard Then after his family failed to pay a ransom in November 2015.
According to Tan, the suspect was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for the kidnapping of Italian former priest, Rolando del Torchio.
Del Torchio, 57 years old, was abducted by the group of Red Eye inside his Pizza Resto Bar last October 7, 2015 in Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte province and turned over by Kumander Red Eye to Sulu-based ASG. He was released April 8, 2016 in Jolo, Sulu and was found aboard a vessel M/V Beatrice.
"The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) continues to support the PNP (Philippine National Police) in the intensified conduct of law enforcement operations to expedite the arrest of lawless elements in the province," said Tan.
The Abu Sayyaf group still holds eight people captive -- 3 foreigners including a Canadian, a Norwegian, a Dutchman, and 5 Filipinos -- in the troubled island Sulu province.
Tan said that the Wesmincom is not letting up on its efforts to rescue the remaining victims, including two foreigners shown in a latest video released by the terrorist group.
The video showed Abu Sayyaf's Canadian and Norwegian captives, and the group set June 13 as deadline for ransom payment before they execute the two.
The kidnappers had demanded P300 million each for Canadian Robert Hall and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipina Marites Flor.
It was gathered from military sources that more troops have been deployed to Sulu as the deadline set by the Abu Sayyaf for the families of the foreigners they seized on Samal Island to pay ransom lapses tomorrow, Monday.
It said the Philippine Army's 45th Infantry Battalion based in Central Mindanao had been sent to Sulu to help in the operations to rescue the hostages,.
Eight Army battalions as well as Scout Rangers, Special Forces and the United States-trained Light Reaction Co. are presently operating against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu and Basilan. MGP News
It said the Philippine Army's 45th Infantry Battalion based in Central Mindanao had been sent to Sulu to help in the operations to rescue the hostages,.
Eight Army battalions as well as Scout Rangers, Special Forces and the United States-trained Light Reaction Co. are presently operating against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu and Basilan. MGP News
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