Bounty hunters join search for Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Sulu

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 09, 2009) – Bounty hunters have joined armed civilians in tracking down Abu Sayyaf terrorists who holding three kidnapped Red Cross workers in Sulu province in the southern Philippines, a security official said Monday.

Officials said hundreds of civilians have armed themselves and have joined police and military in sealing off a huge area in the hinterlands of Indanan town where the Abu Sayyaf is keeping Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba.

The trio was kidnapped January 15 after inspecting water and sanitation projects at a prison in the town of Patikul. Many of the armed civilians are attracted with the huge bounties on the heads of Abu Sayyaf leaders Albader Parad and Abu Pula whose real name is Umbra Jumdail, and their followers, according to the official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

The United States has offered as much as US$ 5 million for known Abu Sayyaf leaders under the Rewards for Justice System. Manila also set aside P100 million rewards for the capture of Abu Sayyaf terrorists and their leaders – dead or alive.

Many residents in Sulu were unaware of the huge bounties being offered by Washington and Manila on known Abu Sayyaf commanders, despite the killings of several of its top leaders the past years.

Philippine and U.S. authorities linked the Abu Sayyaf to the spate of bombings in the southern Filipino region, including executions of civilians and kidnappings for ransom to raise fund and support its terror campaign.

The Abu Sayyaf has pillaged small towns, bombed passenger ships, commuter buses, Catholic churches and public places, including malls and department stores and killed hundreds of innocent people since the time it was founded in the early 1990s.

The Abu Sayyaf kidnapped 21 foreigners in a cross-border raid in Sabah, Malaysia in 2000 and ransomed off the hostages with the help of Filipino negotiators. It also killed two of three U.S. citizens kidnapped in 2001 after failing to seek the release of al-Qaeda bomber, Pakistani Ramzi Yousef, from U.S. prison.

Yousef, who first bombed the World Trade Center in February 1993, was the mastermind of the "Bojinka Plot," a large-scale terrorist attack on U.S. airliners and a plan to kill Pope John Paul II in the Philippines in 1995. He bombed a Philippine airliner bound for Japan, killing one passenger and the Abu Sayyaf owned up the attack. Yousef then fled the Philippines and was arrested in Pakistan. Six years later the al-Qaeda attacked the WTC.

Philippine military officials say the number of Abu Sayyaf militants have dwindled from several hundreds in the 1990s down to about 200 in 2007. But the number is not permanent either as members of other rebel groups and criminals come and go as Abu Sayyaf militants.

Sixteen of Sulu’s 19 mayors also signed a manifesto with Governor Sakur Tan giving their support to resolve the kidnapping crisis and at the same time condemning the Abu Sayyaf atrocities.

In a manifesto, the mayors commit to undertake the following: “That we give full and undivided support to the Hon. Abdusakur Tan, Provincial Governor of Sulu and Chairman of the Crisis Management Committee / Area Coordinating Center, the Task Force ICRC, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police to resolve the issue of the ICRC kidnapping in the province of Sulu.”

“That we collectively commit human and material resources within our means and control if need to be effect the early and safe release of the hostages. That we condemn in the strongest term any form of action by irresponsible and lawless elements that seek to wreak havoc not only in our respective areas of jurisdiction, but in the whole of Sulu.”

The manifesto further reads: “That we convey our sympathies and concern for the sufferings and anguish of the families and loved ones of the victims. That we call on all our constituents to extend full support to the efforts of the Crisis Management Committee and the Task Force ICRC so that an early solution to the crisis is found.”

Muslim religious and business groups also condemned the kidnapping of the three aid workers and other abductions in Basilan and Zamboanga City. Called the Sabiel Al-Muhtadeen Foundation, the group said “these are acts against humanity and against the teachings of Islam because Islam teaches peace, harmony and sobriety for all human beings at all time.”

“Let it be known to the public that there is no verse in the Holy Quor’an and no Hadith of Prophet Mohammad S.A.W. legalizing of promoting the act of kidnapping any one. Hence, this is an act worth condemning and deserving to be totally stopped.”

The Abu Sayyaf, which means the “bearer of the sword,” was tagged as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. and also linked by the Filipino authorities to the spate of kidnappings and killing of innocent Muslims in Sulu and Basilan provinces. (Mindanao Examiner)

P34-M Reward Offered For 12 Wanted Terrorists

MANILA, Philippines - Security officials have offered a total of P34 million in reward money for any information that will lead to the capture of 12 wanted leaders of the al-Qaeda-backed Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf group.

The monetary reward will be given to any person who can furnish authorities with information that will lead to the arrest or neutralization of the suspects led by JI bomb expert Omar Patek who is using the folling alias Ismael, Salim, Mike, Daud, Arasalan, Abdul Sheykh; and Ammar Usman alias Joko Pitono, Dulmatin, Mahmoud, Sali Ali and Ahmat Usman.

The Philippine News Service said the reward money was approved February 28 by the Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Philippine National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. and Armed Forces chief of staff General Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

Both Patek and Dulmatin are wanted for multiple murder and frustrated murder by local authorities. They are believed to be hiding in Mindanao. Dulmatin was earlier rumored to have been killed by troops in an encounter in Tawi-Tawi but experts are yet to confirm if the body found in Tawi-Tawi early this month was really his.

The other wanted terrorists were identified as: Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan/Abdul Musa, a JI member wanted for multiple murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder and with a P5 million reward.

Ahmad Akmad Batabol Usman alias Abdul Basit and Basit Usman, an ASG bomber wanted for multiple murder and frustrated murder and destruction of property with a P3 million reward;
Jabid Abdul alias Zabiri Abdul and Beds, an ASG bomber wanted for multiple murder and frustrated murder with a P2 million reward.

Jeheri Jeron alias Black Tungkang, an Abu Sayyaf sub-group leader wanted for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with a P2 million reward.

Sakur Mustakim alias Sakur or JR Mustakim, another ASG member wanted for kidnapping and serious illegal detention and carrying a P500,000 reward and Kudri Usman Abu alias Abu Usman, an ASG member wanted for kidnapping and serious illegal detention -- P300,000 reward.

Hassan Muksin alias Abu Muksin/Danny Mustakim/Abu Muksin, another Abu Sayyaf member wanted for kidnapping-for-ransom and serious illegal detention with a P300,000 reward;
Edimar Hayudini alias Edzmar Hayudini, an ASG member wanted for multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder, qualified treachery and evident premeditation and use of high explosives substance with a P300,000 rewar.

Jul Wahid Abu alias Jul Wahid, an ASG member wanted for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with a P300,000 reward; Solomon Ahadjadi alias Abu Solomon, ASG member wanted for 21 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with a P300,000 reward.

Officials assured that the identities of the informants will be kept in utmost secrecy to protect them and their families.

2 Military Informants Get Rewards For Capture Of NPA Leaders In South RP

Western Mindanao Command chief Marine Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, assisted by Army Brig. Gen. Ricardo Garcia, rewarded P1.3 million to one of two masked informants on Saturday, February 02, 2008 in Zamboanga City for helping capture two senior leaders of the communist rebel group National People's Army in southern Philippines. The Philippine military vowed to crush communist insurgency in the country where security forces are also fighting Muslim secessionist rebels in Mindanao, south of Manila. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 02, 2008) - The Philippine military rewarded over one million pesos to two civilians who helped capture two senior communist rebel leaders in Mindanao island, officials said.

“These two civilians are heroes. They helped us capture two terrorist leaders,” Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, commander of the Western Mindanao Command based in Zamboanga City, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Allaga handed the rewards to the two masked informants inside the military base and said the government’s Rewards for Justice Program is a big boost to ongoing anti-insurgency campaign in the southern Philippines.

“We really need the help of every body in this campaign. We need the help of the people in winning this war against terrorism and bring peace to the land,” he said.

Allaga handed a total of P1.3 million to the two men, both wearing a ski mask and sunglasses to hide their identities. Then men did not say any word or speak to reporters and were immediately whisked by soldiers out of the conference room where the ceremony took place.

Allaga said the two informants helped in the capture of Saturnino Roda alias Ka Dory, of the New People’s Army, in the town of Guipos in Zamboanga del Sur on August last year.

The other rebel leader, Joe Paculba, also known by his nom de guerre Ka Joel, was arrested a month later after Roda’s fall in Calamba town in Misamis Occidental.

“The arrest was pursued through the cooperation of the civilian informants who provided the Armed Forces of the Philippines sensitive and vital information about the two communist terrorist leaders,” Allaga said.

Allaga said there is an ongoing operation against the NPA and other terror groups, such as the Indonesian Jemaah Islamiya and its local affiliate, the Abu Sayyaf.

Maj. Eugene Batara, a regional military spokesman, said the two rebel leaders are now in jail and facing criminal charges in connection with attacks on government and military targets in Mindanao.

Last month, Philippine military chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon vowed to crush NPA fronts in the country and neutralize the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front, which broke of peace talks with government in 2004 after the United States in Manila’s prodding added them to its list of foreign terrorist organizations.

Rebel leaders said they would only resume peace negotiations if Washington removes them from the terror tag. (Ely Dumaboc and Arthur Abasolo)

4 Filipino Spies Get $10-M Sayyaf Bounty (Photo Documentary)

U.S. soldiers guard outside the Hall of Justice in Jolo island in the southern Philippines Thursday, 07 June 2007 where U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney and Philippine military chief General Hermogenes Esperon rewarded four masked Filipino informants P490 million or $10 million for providing intelligence to the Philippine military that led to the killing of Abu Sayyaf chieftain, Khadaffy Janjalani in October 2006 Sali in January 2007 who were tagged as behind the kidnapping of four U.S. citizens in the Philippines. The bounty is part of the U.S. Rewards for Justice Program and is the largest payment in the Philippines since the program began in 2002. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)

JOLO ISLAND (Mindanao Examiner / 07 Jun) – The United States on Thursday handed P490 million or about $10 million to four Filipino civilians who provided intelligence to the Philippine military about two of the country’s most wanted terrorists – Khadaffy Janjalani, the leader of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group and his deputy, Jainal Antel Sali, also known as Abu Soliman.

U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney flew to the restive southern island of Jolt and led Filipino and American military officials in the hand-over of the money to four masked informants.

Philippine military chief General Hermogenes Esperon and Mindanao Army chief General Eugenio Cedo praised the United States for its efforts in helping defeat local terrorism.

The Philippine military tagged both Janjalani and Soliman as behind the kidnapping of four U.S. citizens in the Philippines since 2001.

Troops are still pursuing other leaders of the Abu Sayyaf, including Isnilon Hapilon and Albader Parad, who were said to be sheltering Jemaah Islamiya bombers Dulmatin and Umar Patek in Jolo island, about 950 km from the Philippine capital.

The bounty is part of the U.S. Rewards for Justice Program and is the largest payment in the Philippines since the program began in 2002.

The four masked Filipinos were heavily guarded by U.S. and Philippine agents and did not speak to journalists. They were immediately whisked away by agents.

Security in Jolo island was tight during the ambassador’s visit.

Heavily-armed U.S. and Filipino soldiers, backed by armored vehicles, patrolled outside the Hall of Justice building where the ceremony was held.

Washington has deployed hundreds of troops in the southern Philippines to advice and assists the local military in the fighting against terrorism. Both the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiya are in the U.S. terror lists. (With a report from Juley Reyes)

2 Military Spies Get Bounty For Anti-Sayyaf Ops

Philippine and U.S. military officials give rewards to two Filipino spies in Zamboanga City. (Contributed Photos/Dave Las Marias)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 19 Apr) – Filipino and U.S. military officials rewarded Thursday two civilian informers, who provided intelligence to soldiers that led to the killings of two Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders in the troubled southern Philippine region.

The duo, both wearing ski masks, received a total of US$85,000 in a ceremony held inside the military’s Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Zamboanga City.

Regional military chief Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo said the two men provided vital information to soldiers leading to the deaths of Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders leaders Jumdan Jamalul and Binang Sali in separate clashes in January in Jolo and Tawi-Tawi islands.

Both men had been implicated in the kidnappings of Filipinos and American citizens in 2001 and the raid on Sipadan island in Malaysia in 2000 where the Abu Sayyaf took 21 Asian and European holiday-makers.

Cedo, accompanied by Navy Commander James Marvin, of the US Defense Department, handed the bounty to the two informants, both Muslims.

“We laud these two men for their bravery. The fight against terrorism will continue,” Cedo told the Mindanao Examiner.

The Philippine military in March also rewarded an informant with one million pesos for helping security forces capture a notorious Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Abdullah Mohammad implicated in the kidnapping of three American citizens seven years ago.

The United States also rewarded $2,500 to the same informant for the capture of Mohammad, who is included in Washington’s terror lists, in Zamboanga City.

The military implicated Mohammad in the 2000 kidnapping of Kansas missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and California man Guillermo Sobero and 17 other Filipino holiday-makers at the posh Dos Palmas resort in the central Philippine province of Palawan.

He was also linked to the kidnappings of dozens of people in Basilan island off Zamboanga in 2000, where 11 hostages had been beheaded.

Washington listed the Abu Sayyaf as a foreign terrorist group and offered as much as $5 million bounty for the capture of its known leader. The Abu Sayyaf is said to be coddling Indonesian and Malaysian Jemaah Islamiya bombers in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)

Abu Spy Gets P1 Million Bounty!

Western Mindanao Army chief Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo hands over Friday 30 Mar 2007 one million pesos reward money to a masked Abu Sayyaf informant who helped the Philippine military capture a sub-leader of the militant group, Abdullah Mohammad, in November 2005 in Zamboanga City, as Army Col. Pedro Ancanan looks on. Mohammad is implicated in the kidnapping of US missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and California tourist Guillermo Sobero in a posh island resort in Central Philippines. Martin and Guillermo were later killed by the Abu Sayyaf group tied to Al-Qaeda terror network. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 30 Mar) – The Philippine military on Friday rewarded an informant with one million pesos for helping security forces capture a notorious Abu Sayyaf sub-leader implicated in the kidnapping of three American citizens seven years ago.

“More and more people are providing us vital information about the terrorists. And those who are helping us will be rewarded accordingly,” Lieutenant General Eugenio Cedo, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, told the Mindanao Examiner.

The masked informant did not speak to journalist and was whisked away by intelligence agents escorting him at the military base in Zamboanga City after receiving the money.

The United States also rewarded $2,500 to the same informant last month for the capture of Mohammad, who is included in Washington’s terror lists.

Cedo said the Philippine government provided the money as reward for the capture of Abdullah Mohammad, who was tracked down by troops in the village of Ayala in Zamboanga City.

The military implicated Mohammad in the 2000 kidnapping of Kansas missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and California man Guillermo Sobero and 17 other Filipino holiday-makers at the posh Dos Palmas resort in the central Philippine province of Palawan.

He was also linked to the kidnappings of dozens of people in Basilan island off Zamboanga in 2000, where 11 hostages had been beheaded.

Washington listed the Abu Sayyaf as a foreign terrorist group and offered as much as $5 million bounty for the capture of its known leader.

The Abu Sayyaf is said to be coddling Indonesian and Malaysian Jemaah Islamiya bombers in the southern Philippines.

Just this week, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has authorized a new reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, a terrorist believed to be involved in multiple deadly bomb attacks in the Philippines.

Zulkifli bin Hir has been added to most-wanted list of the Rewards for Justice Program, administered by the Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security.Zulkifli bin Hir is a Malaysian citizen born in 1966 in Muar, Johor.

An engineer trained in the United States, he allegedly heads the Kumpulun Mujahidin Malaysia (KMM) terrorist organization and is a member of Jemaah Islamiyah's central command.

The U.S. State Department said he has been present in the Philippines since August 2003, where he is believed to have conducted bomb-making training for the Abu Sayyaf.

His younger brother, Taufik bin Abdul Halim, Dany, was involved in the 2001 Jakarta Atrium Mall bombing, and currently is in detention in Indonesia. (Mindanao Examiner)