Two suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group wanted for kidnapping and other crimes were arrested in Taguig City, police said on Tuesday.
A composite team from the National Capital Region Police Office, Southern Police District, and Taguig City Police Station arrested Taupik Galbun, also known as “Pa Wahid,” and Saik Galbun, alias “Pa Tanda,” Saturday night in Barangay Upper Bicutan.
The suspects were alleged members of the group linked to Basilan-based ASG leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Bakal Hapilon.
The authorities made the arrest by virtue of a warrant issued by Pasig City Regional Trial Court Judges Toribio Ilao Jr. and Judge Nicanor A. Manalo Jr.
SPD officials said Taupik is wanted for six counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention, and kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom, on cases docketed at the Pasig Regional Trial Court in November 2009.
Saik was also wanted for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom.
Police said Taupik was also involved in the beheadings of Primitivo Falcansantos, Crisanto Suela, and Guillermo Sobero and the abduction of teachers of Landang Gua Elementary School in Sacol Island, Zamboanga City.
He is also being hunted for his alleged involvement in the abduction of six members of the Jehovah’s Witness on August 20, 2002 in Patikul, Sulu. Two of those abducted were beheaded, while the four remaining victims were rescued by the military after weeks of operations.
Last Monday, one of the victims in the August 2002 kidnapping identified Taupik’s companion Saik as one of the suspects who abducted her along with five others.
According to the victim, she saw Saik in Nangka, Patikul, Sulu on Sept. 6, 2002, while they were talking with the group of “Ka Baks” about the ransom money.
Police nabbed Taupik and Saik two months after the arrest of another ASG member, also in Taguig.
Wahab S. Jamal, alias Ustadz Usman Halipa, was arrested by members of the National Bureau of Investigation – Counter Terrorism Division at Maharlika Village last May 7 based on the warrant of arrest issued by the Basilan RTC for kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
Jamal, the 27th ASG member arrested by the NBI since 2018, was involved in the Golden Harvest plantation kidnapping on June 11, 2001 in Tairan, Lantawan in Basilan.
On April 21, a witness identified Jamal as Ustadz Usman Halipa from a police photo line-up.