RP operatives arrest senior rebel suspect

RP operatives arrest senior rebel suspect

PHILIPPINES: Philippine intelligence operatives arrested on Friday a man believed to be one of the senior members of the Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf.

Agents from the air force captured Hajer Sailani, 43, in the southern port city of Zamboanga, the military said.

Sailani, also known as Akmad Hayas, is a native of Jolo, an island-stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, a small group of Islamic militants the U.S. State Department considers a terrorist organization.

He has a 150,000 peso (US$2,688) bounty on his head. -- AFP