MANILA, Philippines - Authorities on Tuesday have recaptured an Abu Sayyaf extremist who escaped the Basilan Provincial Jail with 30 other prisoners two weeks ago.

Military officials identified the arrested fugitive as Potoy Tiblan Arabain alias Kaluang, a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Officials said Kaluang is facing charges of kidnap-for-ransom with serious illegal detention. The National Anti-Terrorism Council has also offered a P250,000 reward for Kaluang's recapture.

Kaluang was cornered by members of the Civilian Active Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) based in Kapatagan and Masola villages in Isabela City. He is the fifth fugitive to be neutralized by law enforcers after the jailbreak.

The military earlier dropped thousands of leaflets in 6 towns in Basilan, including Isabela City, Lamitan, Albarka, Tipo-Tipo, Maluso, Sumisip and Ungkaya Pukan, to effect the immediate arrest of the fugitives.

Each leaflet contains the name of the escapee and the corresponding monetary reward for the arrest or neutralization of the fugitive.

Among the escaped inmates was Hassan Asnawi or Commander Dan Asnawi alias Laksaw, commander of a Moro Islamic Liberation Front special operations group in Basilan and deputy commander of the separatist group’s 114th Base Command.

BJMP to take over jail?

Meanwhile, Basilan officials are eyeing the possible turnover of the Basilan Provincial Jail to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Basilan Vice-Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul said the BJMP has sufficient equipment and firearms to secure the provincial jail, which has had four jailbreaks in the past.

Warden Jumaril Sali was relieved from his post after the jailbreak while several of the jailguards are undergoing investigation.

One of the guards said he received surrender feelers from Salim Masud Tanjal, who was among the 31 escapees from the jail.