Wanted Terror Leader Strikes Anew, Burns Govt Buildings In Mindanao

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 22, 2008) – A Filipino rebel leader with links to the Indonesian militant group Jemaah Islamiya and wanted both by the Philippines and United States governments, struck in the restive region of Mindanao, torching government buildings and civilian houses, officials said Monday.

Abdul Basit Usman and Abas Awab, both have links with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels, were tagged by the military as behind the arson attack late Sunday in the town of Mamasapano in Maguindanao province.

Although there were no reports of civilian casualties, the raid sent a chilling warning to authorities that terrorists can still strike despite repeated government assurance that it is on top of the situation.

Tens of thousands of government soldiers are pursuing hundreds of MILF rebels blamed for the series of deadly attacks in Mindanao last month.

But despite the overwhelming numbers of troops involved in the operations, Manila failed to locate Ameril Kato, Abdurahman Macapaar and Sulayman Panglian who led the attacks in the provinces of North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Sarangani.

The latest attack added more fears to civilians in areas where the MILF rebels are actively operating.

Colonel Julieto Ando, a spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Usman’s group burned a government medical clinic, a day care center and a building used as office of the Special Zone of Peace and Development agency and civilian houses.

The MILF has disowned Usman, but Ando said the terror leader and Awab are members of the rebel’s 105th Base Command and blamed for the spate of bombings in Mindanao.

“As far as the military is concerned, Usman and Awab are members of the MILF,” Ando said without elaborating further.

The U.S. Government Rewards Program offered up to $50,000 for information leading to Usman’s apprehension.

“Abdul Basit Usman is a known terrorist with links to Jemaah Islamiyah and believed responsible for bombings in Mindanao in October 2006 that killed eight innocent civilians and left 30 others wounded. He is also implicated in a recent series of bomb attacks in Mindanao that killed seven and wounded 37 others,” it said in a statement. (Mindanao Examiner)