A suspect in the recent kidnapping of 2 Chinese nationals and a Filipino worker of a plywood company in Maluso town in Basilan province was arrested by police Thursday morning.

Reports from the Basilan Provincial Police Office said that joint elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-9 (CIDG-9) and Intelligence and Investigation Section of the Provincial Police Office arrested Muhajid Jumdiya Nasirin, The suspect is reportedly a resident of Upper Mahayahay in Maluso town.

Senior Superintendent Abubakar Tulawie, Basilan police director, said some of the witnesses have identified Nasirin as among the 30 armed men who ransacked the HighTech Plywood Company past midnight Tuesday and took hostage Oscar Lu, Michael Tan and Marques Singson.

The armed suspects reportedly brought their captives towards the direction of Sumisip town.

Authorities have tagged the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Puruji Indama as the alleged perpetrator.

Nasirin was detained at the CIDG-9 office in Zamboanga City pending the filing of appropriate charges against him.  by Queenie Casimiro, ABS-CBN News Zamboanga