ZAMBOANGA CITY – A suspected Abu Sayyaf bandit who faces kidnapping charges in various courts for crimes such as the 2000 Sipadan hostage crisis was arrested here, police belatedly announced Tuesday. Billy Beltran, the Western Mindanao police chief, said Faizal Jaafar, also known as Jaafar Mundi, Abu Jaafar, Abu Aren, Abu Ben and Abu Raba, was arrested in Barangay Cawit here on Friday. Beltran said Jaafar was known to be an aide of slain Abu Sayyaf spokesperson Abu Sabaya. Jaafar faces 87 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention in relation to the Sipadan kidnappings; and murder in Isabela City and Puerto Princesa City courts. Jaafar is temporarily detained at the CIDG Western Mindanao office pending his presentation to the courts that issued the warrants against him, according to Beltran.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 31, 2017 08:24 UTC