World Bulletin / News Desk 

Philippine security forces have arrested two members of an al-Qaeda-linked group after the Abu Sayyaf failed an attempt to kidnap a businesswoman whose family has previously been targeted in the country’s south.

Col. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group commander in Sulu province, told Anadolu Agency in a text message that two suspects identified as Ayatullah Andam Arabah and Jurpin Talib Abduhalim were captured at around 7.25 p.m. (1225GMT) Saturday in Patikul town.

Businesswoman Adelaida Tan Hablo had reportedly been riding a tricycle when she was pursued by armed men near a high school for boys in Kasulutan village. She managed to escape and seek police assistance.

Police and military teams responded, resulting in a brief firefight breaking out with Abu Sayyaf members, who were forced to abandon their motorcycles and a getaway vehicle.

Arabah and Abduhalim were captured in pursuit operations in nearby Buhanginan village.

"Their two [getaway] vehicles were recovered in Barangay Umangay, Patikul as their cohorts splintered going to different directions," Arrojado said in a text message.

Adelaida Tan Hablo’s brother Robustiano Hablo Jr. -- the son of a wealthy Filipino businessman – had been kidnapped in Nov. 2009 and held captive for 70 days before being released after a ransom was allegedly paid to his Abu Sayyaf captors.

Last October, her son was also abducted and released following another alleged payment, ABS-CBN cited Arrojado as saying.