COMBINED agents of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Armed Forces on Thursday captured a wanted Abu Sayyaf terrorist during a raid in Global City, Taguig, aimed at preempting possible “sympathy attacks” from the extremist organization known for its links with Osama Bin Laden’s al-Qaeda terror network, PNP chief Director General Raul M. Bacalzo announced yesterday.

Bacalzo described the capture of Imam Arabani Jakiran as a “big leap” on the government’s stepped-up hunt for terrorists in the country to preempt any plan of retaliatory attacks in the wake of Bin Laden’s death.

He said Jakiran is wanted for his involvement in several high-profile kidnappings and terrorist attacks in Southern Philippines in 2001, the same year Bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network launched the infamous 9-11 attacks in the United States. A P350,000 reward was offered by the Department of National Defense-Department of Interior and Local Government for any information that would lead to the capture of the suspect.

He also said that Jakiran’s arrest “indicates the readiness of the PNP to proactively deal with terrorist threats by focusing its operations more on preemptive campaign and aggressive manhunt against wanted terrorists and other most wanted persons.”

Bacalzo has ordered increased security measures across the country in the wake of Bin Laden’s killing by U.S. SEALS (Sea, Air and Land) commandos in Pakistan to preempt possible “sympathy attacks” from groups known for their links with the al-Qaeda particularly the Jemaah Islamiyah.

According to CIDG director Chief Supt. Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr., the 39-year-old Jakiran alias Abdurahim Gustaham Arabani, was arrested in front of the Pacific Plaza Tower Hotel located at the corner of 4th Avenue and 2th Street, De Jesus Oval, Global City.

Jakiran is a native of Asturias, Jolo, Sulu who used to reside at 103 Mujahedeen Street, Salam Compound in Barangay Culiat, Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

Pagdilao said Jakiran was arrested by members of the National Capital Region Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit and AFP intelligence operatives 6 a.m. Thursday in front of the Pacific Plaza Tower where he was found to be working as a security guard

Pagdilao said that Jakiran has a standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping for ransom issued by Judge Danilo Bucoy of the Isabela, Basilan Regional Trial Court Branch 2.

NCR-CIDU chief Senior Supt. Joel Napoleon M. Coronel said that Jakiran was a member of an Abu Sayyaf band led by Sahiron Hapilon which laid siege to the Dr. Jose Maria Torres Memorial Hospital in Lamitan, Basilan on June 2, 2001.

The extremists abducted a number of hospital staff and patients during the raid.

Coronel said one of the hostages identified as Joel M.     Guillo was brought by the gunmen to the mountainous part of Tuburan, Basilan where he joined other Abu Sayyaf kidnapping victims from Dos Palmas Beach Resort in Palawan.

Coronel said Guillo was held captive by the Abu Sayyaf for four months and nine days until he was able to escape on October 14, 2001 during a military offensive against the terrorists.

Aside from his involvement in the Lamitan siege, Jakiran was also involved in the Golden Harvest Plantation hostage taking incident in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan on June 11, 2001, the official said.