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Date: 16 November 2013
Source: Journal Online

A SUSPECTED member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) involved in the kidnapping of six members of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 2002 was arrested by authorities in Patikul, Sulu.

This was confirmed by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

Arrested was Ustadz Nidhal Pajiran, alias “Abu Rahman” and “Abu Kudama.”

The suspect was arrested by combined elements of the Special Project Mindanao Khilafa Islamiya, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in cooperation with the PAOCC, in Bgy. Tictapul.

The report said the suspect was arrested based on a warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom issued by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 266.

Records showed the suspect is allegedly part of the group that abducted the members of religious organization while doing door to door sale of cosmetic products in Patikul in August 2002.

Two of the victims were beheaded a day after they were kidnapped while the remaining four were rescued by the military following weeks of operation.

Pajiran was also involved in the abduction of an American national, Jeffrey Schilling, in 2000 in Sulu.

Schilling was held for seven months by the ASG, which threatened to kill him unless his family paid US$10 million.

In April 2001, Schilling escaped.

According to authorities, Pajiran has been a member of the notorious group since 2000 when he joined Khadaffy Janjalani in Patikul.

They said Pajiran had studied Madrasah in Bgy. Muti, Zamboanga City where he met the ASG’s bomb experts Abdulla and Amilhamja Ajilul. He also went to Al Farouk Institute in Palawan in 1995 and graduated at the top of his class, they added.

Pajarin is said to be one of the religious leaders and trainers of the ASG in various trainings held in Sulu since 2003.