ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - An alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was collared in Zamboanga City on Monday.

The police only disclosed the arrest on Thursday.
   
A report from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office-9 revealed George Nambi, alias Fawji Iraji, has a warrant of arrest for his alleged participation in the kidnapping of 6 members of the Jehovah's Witness in Patikul, Sulu in 2002.
   
But relatives and neighbors of Nambi denied the accusation.
   
Ahmad Amil, a friend of Nambi, said his friend was the one who received an information that he and 9 others are included in a list of persons whom authorities suspect to be members of the Abu Sayyaf Group.
   
Amil said he and Nambi went to the Barangay Hall of Zone 4 to secure a barangay clearance hoping to clear their names.
   
But as they were on their way home, a red Mitsubishi Pajero intercepted them. Six persons alighted and, at gunpoint, took Nambi with them.

Amil managed to escape.
   
It was only on Thursday did police confirm that Nambi was in their custody.

Police also said they were preparing to bring him to Taguig City in Metro Manila to face criminal charges.

Others on 'list' now afraid
   
Aside from Nambi, the 9 others who are in the supposed list of Abu Sayyaf members are now afraid as they too might be arrested anytime.

Jay-R Jamari, an intern in a local hospital in Zamboanga City, said he's afraid to go home after work since he might also be picked up by authorities.
  
Jay-R's mother, Ginda Jamari, also expressed her apprehension that authorities might likewise tag his son with some aliases and charge him with kidnapping.
   
"Ipaglalaban ko talaga anak ko," Jamari said. " Inosente yan, nag-aaral yan."
   
Amil, Jamari, and the 7 others trooped to the Zamboanga City Police Office to give their statements regarding Nambi's arrest and clear their names.

Police Sr. Inspector Joel Tuttuh confirmed that all 9 of them have no criminal records.