ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 16, 2008) – The morale of Philippine troops fighting the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group were affected by reports that Manila would negotiate for the surrender of a top terror leader blamed for the spate of killings and bombings in the southern region.
Philippine media reported that the government is open to negotiating with Radulan Sahiron, who is one of the country's most wanted terror leader. Sahiron is also wanted by the United States on terrorism charges and offered as much as $5 million bounty for his capture.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales said Sahiron has sent surrender feelers and wanted to avail of the government's amnesty program, including livelihood aid.
Gonzales was quoted as saying that payment to rebels and granting them livelihood are not new since the government has previously offered amnesty to the New People's Army, armed wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines.
But the military said the Abu Sayyaf cannot avail of the amnesty program because it is a terrorist group.
"The Abu Sayyaf group is not included in the amnesty program because it is classified as a terrorist organization. Their leaders and members are terrorists and cold-blooded murderers not worthy of the good intention of the amnesty program," Army Major Eugene Batara, a regional military spokesman, told the Mindanao Examiner.
Government troops fighting the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province were affected by Manila's plan to open negotiations with Sahiron, said to be the leader of the gang that is holding ABS-CBN television reporter Ces Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, including their guide, university professor Octavio Dinampo.
They were kidnapped June 8 in Maimbung town while on their way to secretly interview Sahiron after reports of his surrender surfaced.
"We are demoralized by what we hear about Sahiron and how the government is biting to his propaganda. The government should not even talk or negotiate with terrorists. The Abu Sayyaf is a terrorist group and Sahiron should be neutralized," an army soldier said.
Policemen inn Sulu who knew Sahiron said he is not likely to surrender. "Because with his string of criminal cases and being on the US list of wanted terrorists, surrendering to authorities is not an easy option," one policeman said.
The Abu Sayyaf, also known as al-Harakat al Islamiya, which means the "Bearer of the Sword", is originally fighting for the establishment of a strict Islamic state, but resorted to banditry after its chieftain, Libyan-firebrand Ustadz Abubakar Abdurajak Janjalani was killed in a gun battle with police forces in Basilan Island in 1998. (Mindanao Examiner)
1 comment:
I wonder if those "surrender feelers" come by way of Jess Dureza, who has taken over as Press Secretary.
I blame him the most for the tragedy that has befallen Ces Drilon and her team, because of his handling of those beheadings, ambuscades and kidnappings last year. And the paying of ransoms for Dolorfino and Bossi.
He's the biggest terrorist coddler around, which is why he got shifty eyed and could not look into the camera tonight as he announced the administration's devotion to the po0licy of not paying ransoms.
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