Philippine army arrest 4 wives of terrorists suspected of kidnapping Red Cross workers

From Canadian Press

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine troops have arrested four wives of suspected militants and accused them of aiding kidnappings by the al-Qaida-linked terror group Abu Sayyaf, officials said Thursday.

The women detained Tuesday at a checkpoint on southern Jolo Island included the two wives of Abu Sayyaf commander Albader Parad, the main suspect in the Jan. 15 abduction of three international Red Cross workers, said navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo.

One of Parad's wives, Rowena "Honey" Aksan, allegedly took part in the kidnapping and had been seen inside Abu Sayyaf jungle camps, Arevalo said.[...]

The Abu Sayyaf, which has about 400 fighters, is on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations because bombings, ransom kidnappings and beheadings of hostages have rattled the southern Philippines for decades. The group is suspected of receiving funds and training from al-Qaida.