MANILA (PNA) – A former vice mayor in Basilan province was arrested on Tuesday for alleged links with the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group, a police official said Wednesday.

Sr. Supt. Antonio Mendoza, Basilan Provincial Police Office (PPO) director, said former Maluso town Vice Mayor Hadji Hamid

Muksan was apprehended by elements of the Mindanao Area Police Intelligence Office (MAPIO) at his residence in Port Holland, Maluso town at around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Mendoza said MAPIO arrested Muksan for alleged links with the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group and its kidnapping activities.

He said the Basilan police had arrested Muksan before but he managed to present evidence to prove his innocence and disprove that he is the same Muksan who is a member of the Abu Sayyaf.

Mendoza said Muksan was brought by the MAPIO in Zaamboanga City for debriefing.

”He is now under further investigation,” said Mendoza. (PNA)