LINDA STOUFFER, CNN ANCHOR: Now to the Philippines, where authorities say they have captured a leader of an extremist group suspected of kidnapping a group of Western tourists last year. In this phone report we're about to play for you, CNN's Maria Ressa says a civilian tip actually led authorities to this arrest.</s>MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A top leader of the Abu Sayyaf and three members of his group were arrested by the Philippine police in General Santos City late Sunday. They are now on their way to the capital, Manila, and are expected to be presented to the press in the next few hours. Nadzmie Sabtulah, known as "Commander Global" was one of five leaders of the Abu Sayyaf group based in Jolo. If you recall, this is a group which kidnapped Western tourists last year from a Malaysian resort and they successfully negotiated with the Philippine government for about $18 million in ransom. Commander Global is perceived to be one of the two masterminds of that kidnapping attempt.</s>STOUFFER: It is not clear, though, if this man Nadzmie Sabtulah played a role in the more recent kidnappings that took place in May. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Philippine Authorities Claim Capture of Abu Sayyaf Leader