They said he is a member of the Abu Sayyaf terror group, which is linked to al-Qaida and blamed for a series of bombings, kidnappings and beheadings.


Officials say Abu Ismael was one of the armed guards during the captivity of Gracia and Martin Burnham, fellow American Guillermo Sobero and a number of Filipinos.


Sobero was beheaded, and Martin Burnham was later killed in a raid by Philippine forces that freed Gracia Burnham.
Authorities also said the suspect was trained in bomb-making and helped carry out advanced planning for other kidnappings.





Voice of America

Philippine Police Arrest Suspect in Kidnapping of US Missionary Couple