Muslim Guerrilla Leader Is Captured

Officials said today that they arrested the Muslim extremist leader who planned the kidnapping of 20 people, including three Americans, from an island resort.

Nadzmie Sabtulah, also known as Commander Global, is the highest-ranking member of the Abu Sayyaf to be arrested. He was arrested Sunday night in the southern region of Mindanao. The group, which claims to be fighting for an independent Muslim state in the south, does not have one clear chief.

The Abu Sayyaf took three Americans and a number of Filipinos hostage in May. Some of the captives have been killed, but others are believed to be on the island of Basilan.