Sayyaf Hunters Get Bounties In South RP

Two of three civilians who helped the military track down three Abu Sayyaf terrorists get P450,000 rewards Wednesday 27 Sept 2006 from Army Maj. Gen. Eugenio Cedo, chief of the Western Mindanao Command based in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 27 Sept) The Philippine military rewarded Wednesday P450,000 to three civilian informants who helped the military capture two of three members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group in the southern Philippines.

Two of three informants, who wore ski masks to hide their faces, received P150,000 each from Maj. Gen. Eugenio Cedo, chief of the Western Mindanao Command based in Zamboanga City for the capture of Quirino Mahijul and Isnan Anenol in Basilan island in 2004.

The third civilian did not show, but he was largely credited for leading troops to the hideout of Mihadon Arok, who was killed in a firefight with soldiers in Patikul town in Jolo island also in 2004.

"The intelligence provided by these civilians helped us neutralized the three terrorists. Civilians continue to provide us vital information about the Abu Sayyaf and their allies and those who are supporting them and we will not stop pursuing them until they are also neutralize," Cedo told the Mindanao Examiner.

Cedo said the bounty came from the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The duo did not give any statement and were whisked away by soldiers after getting the money.

President Gloria Arroyo offered up to P100 million bounties for the capture of senior Abu Sayyaf leaders -- dead or alive. The United States also offered as much as $5 million for known Abu Sayyaf leaders, including Khadaffy Janjalani, its chieftain.