The arms buyer of the Abu Sayyaf group, identified as Mario Benigno, was arrested by government operatives in Zamboanga City, southern Philippines, last Tuesday, said belated reports which reached Manila's Philippine Army Chief, Lt. Gen. Jaime de los Santos.
He was in the port area when accosted by the authorities at 10.30 in the morning, reports said.
Benigno was responsible for the procurement of various fire-arms and ammunition for the Abu Sayyaf Group, which is operating in the Basilan Province, near Zamboanga, an island port city in southern Philippines.
The 1,000 strong-hostage taking group is based in Basilan, Jolo, and Tawi-Tawi.
Benigno was also accused of participating in the attack on Dr Torres Hospital on June 2, when the Abu Sayyaf group brought their 20 hostages who were kidnapped from Dos Palmas Hotel in Palawan, south-western Philippines, last April 27.
Benigno was also accused of kidnapping an estimated 200 hospital workers in the same hospital, during the Abu Sayyaf group's take-over.
The Abu Sayyaf group ended up getting only five hospital workers and initially released three hostages from Palawan, when the group escaped to another part of Basilan.
The Abu Sayyaf bandits are currently holding two American nationals and 12 Filipino hostages in the hinterlands of Basilan.
Abu Sayyaf arms buyer arrested
The arms buyer of the Abu Sayyaf group, identified as Mario Benigno, was arrested by government operatives in Zamboanga City, southern Philippines, last Tuesday, said belated reports which reached Manila's Philippine Army Chief, Lt. Gen. Jaime de los Santos.
