Zamboanga (AsiaNews) - Doubts are emerging about the identity of Abdullah Patah Ismael, an alleged Abu Sayyaf leader captured this morning in Santa Isabela (Basilan, Mindanao) by Filipino Special Police Commandos. For military authorities, he is responsible for the decapitation of dozens of people. Sources told AsiaNews however that he is simply a common criminal whose identity the authorities failed to check.

Known to Interpol by his nom de guerre Patah Hamiakm, Abdullah Patah Ismael is accused of extremely brutal crimes. In 2007, he is said to have ordered the decapitation of ten marines in Basilan's Al-Barka township. In 2010, he is believed to have organised attacks in Santa Isabela that cost the lives of 15 people.

Conversely, other sources believe that the man arrested by special commandos is just a small-scale trafficker and not a major Abu Sayyaf leader as portrayed in the press.

So far, only international news agencies have reported the military's version of events. "Local papers are waiting before printing a final version. Everybody knows how the military does things," sources said. "In order to highlight what they do, they arrest criminals or innocent people, claiming they are terrorist leaders."

According to sources, the military is concerned about major cuts following an agreement between the government the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).  For this reason, in the past few weeks, it has played up its anti-terrorist operations.

On 2 February, it announced the death of Zulfifli bin Hir, head of the Jemaah Islamiah, Gumbahali Jumdail, an Abu Sayyaf leader, and Mumanda Ali, who one of the people who carried out the 2002 Bali bombings.

Mindanao is a predominantly Muslim region. For the past 40 years, it has been the scene of a war between the Filipino military and Muslim extremist groups who want to set up an independent Muslim state ruled by Sharia.

Despite talks between the government and the MILF, the foremost Muslim separatist group, Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah have continued to abduct and attack Christian and government targets.

In the past few years, Catholic communities in Jolo and Basilan have often been the victims of attacks. The worst occurred on 7 July 2009, when a bomb exploded inside Jolo cathedral, killing six and injuring 40. (S.C.)