Officials in the Philippines say they have arrested one of the founders¹ of the militant² Islamist group Abu Sayyaf, active in the province of Mindanao.

菲律宾官员称，他们已经逮捕活动在棉兰老省的伊斯兰军事组织阿布沙耶夫的一名创始人。

Abdul Basir Latip is described by his accusers原告，控告者 as a key member of Abu Sayyaf阿布沙耶夫.

He was allegedly involved in organising kidnappings, especially of foreigners and Christians³.

He has also been accused of forging伪造 links between Abu Sayyaf and other militant Islamist groups, such as Jemaah Islamiah and al-Qaeda.

He is currently wanted in the United States in connection with与……有关 the kidnap in 1993 of a Protestant missionary⁴ who was eventually freed after a ransom赎金 was paid.

It is reported that Mr Latip denies membership of Abu Sayyaf but admits being friends with some of its founders.

Abu Sayyaf was started in the early 1990s by a young Muslim preacher传教士，牧师, and soon emerged as one of the most brutal⁶ and radical⁷ militant groups fighting in the southern Philippines.

It has been weakened in recent years by concerted action against it by the Philippines military, supported by the United States.

Other rebel groups in the region include a communist insurgency叛乱，暴动 and armed Muslim groups fighting for a separate homeland.