Terrorist group member seized in S. Philippines

MANILA, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Philippine security forces arrested a member of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf in Zamboanga City in the country's southern region of Mindanao before noon Friday, police said.

Citing initial information received, PNP spokesman Agrimero Cruz identified the suspect as Abdulwahab Hamia, alias Amia, 42, who he described as one of the most wanted by the police.

Cruz said Hamia was nabbed by police operations at 11:49 a.m. at Recodo village.

He said Hamia was arrested by virtue of arrest warrants on six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

Cruz said Hamia used to work under Abu Sayyaf commander Ghalib Andang, alias commander Robot.

The 380-strong Abu Sayyaf group (ASG), founded in the early 1990s, is a violent Muslim terrorist group operating in the southern Philippines. The ASG engages in kidnappings for ransom, bombings, beheadings, assassinations, and extortion. The group's stated goal is to promote an independent Islamic state in western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, areas in the southern Philippines.