A member of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf who is believed to be involved in the kidnapping of foreigners in a resort in Sipadan, Malaysia was captured Wednesday morning in southern Philippines, a military official said.

The suspect, who uses the alias Abu Darren, was captured in the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga. Col. Andrelino Colina, commander of the anti-terror unit task force Zamboanga, said the suspect is based in Sulu province.

Colina said the militant was captured by the combined intelligence units of the Philippine military and police who have been trailing him near a private wharf in the coastal village of Baliwasan at around 10:30 a.m., Wednesday.

The Abu Sayyaf kidnapped nine Malaysians, 10 Europeans, and two Filipino resort employers from Sipadan Dive resort off Sabah, Malaysia in May 2000.

The victims were then ferried to Sulu province where they were held hostage for more than five months. They were released in exchange for a hefty ransom.

Colina said the suspect may have also taken part in the botched kidnapping attempt in the Pear Farm Resort in Davao province 13 years ago.

He said the captured militant is undergoing tactical interrogation to determine his mission in coming to Zamboanga City.