ZAMBOANGA CITY. Military intelligence agents have arrested the Abu Sayyaf leader who allegedly decapitated American hostage Guillermo Sobero in June 2001, the military said yesterday.

Major Eugene Batara, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said Annik Abbas alias Abu Anek was arrested on Friday evening in Colonia village in Lamitan, Basilan.

Abbas's victim, Sobero, was among 21 persons - including American couple Martin and Gracia Burnham - taken from the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan during a raid by the group of bandits in May 2001.

Sobero's execution was announced by Abu Sayyaf spokesperson Abu Sabaya two weeks after the abduction. "We have beheaded Sobero as a gift to the country on Independence Day," Sabaya told a local radio station then. Sobero's body was found about three weeks later, also in Basilan.

Batara said Abbad did not resist arrest. "Abbas was on his way to Sinangkapan village in Tuburan town when he was spotted by two of our men," Batara said. Abbas was unarmed and alone when arrested according to Batara.

Basilan Governor Wahab Akbar described Abbas as "the most dangerous Abu Sayyaf." "He was the executioner of American hostage Guillermo Sobero way back 2001," he said.

Akbar said Abbas was previously arrested but managed to escape from prison during the 2004 jail break in Basilan. He rejoined the Abu Sayyaf and was named commander of the group previously under Hamsiraji Sali, who was killed by soldiers in 2003, according to Akbar.

"I am giving P1 million to the civilian informants who helped the Army's 103rd Infantry Brigade in his arrest," the Basilan governor said.

On Thursday evening, police intelligence operatives also killed an Abu Sayyaf member during an operation here.

Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, police intelligence chief for Western Mindanao, said his men were serving a warrant of arrest against Itting and Anni Sailani, who were being sought for the death of former Inquirer photographer Gene Boyd Lumawag, in Ayala village here.

"But the serving of warrant ended in a gun fight at the Ayala bridge when the group resisted. This led to the death of Joselito Nasara alias Abu Sufian, Sofia, and Kirrs," Casimiro said.

The Sailani brothers, he said, managed to escape.

During a follow up operation in Pamucutan village here, Casimiro said, policemen arrested Jayrold Nasara, younger brother of the slain Abu Sayyaf member, and another suspect, identified as Salahuddin Asikain Ogis.

Police seized .45 caliber pistol, an M-16 Armalite rifle and ammunition, a motorbike, a cellular phone, a machete, and personal belongings, according to Casimiro
Casimiro said the police remained on high alert following reports the Abu Sayyaf was planning to sow terror in the city.

In Jolo, Sulu, Armed Forces Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. ordered soldiers to get ranking Abu Sayyaf leaders, including Khadaffy Janjalani, and Indonesian bomb experts Dulmatin and Omar Patek before Christmas.

The operation in Sulu, dubbed Oplan Ultimatum, has been running for months now.
"Get the high value targets before Christmas so we could enjoy the holiday break. If you cannot get the targets before Christmas, I am afraid that you'll have to stay here and operate even during the Christmas season," Esperon said during a visit to the island-province on Wednesday.

Esperon also announced that Istiada Oemar Sovie, Dulmatin's wife, will be deported back to Indonesia before November 30 even without her four other children.

Sovie had only two of her six children with her when she was arrested on October 3 in Patikul. There was no information where her four other children are.

"It looks like our efforts to locate Sovie's four children have proved to be futile for the meantime," Esperon said. But he said the government had assured Dulmatin's wife the government was doing everything to find the children.

Sovie is currently under military custody. "But we will already turn her over to the immigration (bureau)," Esperon said during an interview.