Abu Sayyaf suspect denies tag
abs-cbnnews.com | 03/11/2008 12:20 AM
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A suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group captured by police in Basilan Monday denied that he is part of the terrorist group, ABS-CBN Regional Network Group reported.
On Monday, police said they arrested a certain Ronnie Tulling alias Taming Yakan around 11 a.m. in Isabela City.
The suspect, however, said his name is Tony Dellong, 35 years old. He said he is a cousin of Basilan Gov. Jum Akbar. He also denied that he is the man wanted authorities.
He also denied being part of the Abu Sayyaf. He also dismissed the accusations against him.
The suspect has asked the police to verify his background.
The suspect was brought to Zamboanga City and is temporarily detained at the Zamboanga City Police Station 6.
He said he is being treated well by policemen.
Zamboanga police are currently verifying his identity.
Tulling was allegedly involved in the kidnapping of Dr. Nilo Barandino, a local physician kidnapped on Nov. 28, 1992. Barandino was eventually freed and is now continuing his practice.
Aside from the Barandino kidnapping, the Abu Sayyaf has been tagged in other abductions, including the Dos Palmas resort (2001) and the Sipadan dive site (2000) incidents.
Authorities have tagged the group as the Philippine arm of Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda terrorist network. With reports from Leila Vicente and RJ Rosalado, ABS-CBN Regional Network Group
