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Omar Patek

Omar Patek

Jemaah Islamiah

Southeast Asia

20060217

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Southeast Asia

Three top terror leaders killed in the Philippines

2012-02-02

At least 15 Islamic terrorists extremists, including three top leaders, were killed in an air raid in Sulu at dawn Thursday. Abu Sayyaf commander Umbra Jumdail, also known as Abu Pula, and Jemaah Islamiyah leaders Zulkifli bin Hir or Marwan, and Abdullah Ali, who uses the guerrilla name Muawiyah Anjala, were the senior leaders killed in the air strikes. Zulkifli is a Malaysian leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, an explosive expert, and the over-all leader of the JI in the Philippines, said military spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos. The US government has offered $5 million and P7.4 million reward for Zulkifli's capture. Muawiyah, who goes by many aliases, is a Singaporean member of JI who fled to the Philippines shortly after the Bali bombings, according to a Philippine military intelligence source. He was a former member of the Singaporean military with the rank of Major. He was also a JI member affiliated with the Abu Sayyaf and had contact with Omar Patek, Burgos said. The US offered a $50,000 reward for his arrest. Jumdail, a member of the Tausug ethnic group, is a founder and one of the top figures of the Abu Sayyaf group. He had warrants of arrest for 21 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention and was involved in the 2000 kidnapping in Sipadan, Malaysia and the 2001 kidnapping in Dos Palmas resort in Palawan. In a press briefing, Burgos said that the composite unit with elite troops from the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force first launched an air strike in Barangay Duyan Kabau, Parang town in Sulu to "soften the target" at around 3 a.m. Thursday. That attack lasted for only a few seconds before troops stormed the terror group's temporary camp, Burgos said. The air strikes were conducted following tips from civilians that there were Abu Sayyaf and JI members in the area. Burgos said there were also reports that 30 terrorists, including six foreign JI members, arrived in Sulu last December. Burgos said that no civilians were hurt in the operations, saying that this was a "thorough and deliberate" operation done after "months of intelligence gathering." Burgos added, "We want to assure the people of Sulu that the operation conducted was aimed against known members of the terrorist groups--Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah-- who intends to expand their presence in Mindanao." See also: Deaths 'a terrific blow' to terrorism in the Philippines

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Southeast Asia

2 ASG terrorists, one soldier, killed in Sulu clash

2007-02-21

Two Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists and an Army soldier were killed following a clash in Sulu province as the military leadership reiterated its determination to wipe out the terrorist group and their Jemaah Islamiyah cohorts. The latest clash occurred at a remote village of Buansa in Indanan town in Sulu on Monday night, according to Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, commander of the First Scout Ranger Regiment, an elite unit of the Army. The soldiers were conducting combat operations in the area at around 10:30 pm. when they caught up with at least 30 Abu Sayyaf men believed to be under Albader Parad who managed to flee during the fire fight. Officials said the troops clash briefly with the terrorists who later withdrew, leaving behind the bodies of their comrades, and are now subject of pursuit operations. Mapagu said they believe that more terrorists died in the fire fight. "Our troops believe they killed many bandits but they weren't able to recover all the dead bodies under the cover of night. Some may have already been buried by their retreating comrades," the Army official said. Meanwhile, Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. reiterated the military establishment’s determination to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf and their JI cohorts – Dulmatin and Omar Patek – in the island province of Sulu. “It is to our interest that all those high value targets in Sulu will be wiped out soonest,” said Esperon, referring to the Abu Sayyaf and JI leaders who has masterminded a number of attacks in the country. Over the weekend, Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo vowed to get the remaining Abu Sayyaf and JI leaders in Sulu before the May elections. Close to 10,000 soldiers are now deployed in the province to pursue the objective. Commenting on Cedo’s pronouncements, Esperon said: “We have not in the first place set a May deadline. We are still going through it but just the same we want to hit the enemy as soon as possible, as fast as we could.” (PNA)

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Southeast Asia

JI's Omar Patek 'in the bag' yet?

2007-02-20

The military seemed surer than ever yesterday that capturing elusive Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) bomb expert Omar Patek is at hand, even stopping short of claiming that it knows the exact whereabouts of the high-value terrorist. "There are sightings of him in Sulu, so we are working on that," Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, told TEMPO at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday morning. Patek, who carries million bounty for his involvement in the 2002 Bali bombings in Indonesia, is being coddled by the Abu Sayyaf Group together with Dulmatin, his alleged cohort. Asked if the military could present Patek this week, Esperon replied: "We hope we can get him (Patek) but we will not promise you that this will be done within one week." Reports had surfaced recently that Patek was wounded in a clash with military elite units in Sulu last year but Esperon would not confirm their veracity.

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Southeast Asia

TERRORISM: U.S. ASKS PHILIPPINES MUSLIM REBELS FOR HELP

2007-02-17

(AKI) - Washington has asked the Philippines' largest Muslim rebel group for help in the hunt for militants from the al-Qaeda affiliated Jemaah Islamiyah [JI] who are active in southern Philippines. Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) vice chair for political affairs, Ghadzali Jaafar, told Adnkronos International (AKI) that US deputy head of mission in the Philippines, Paul Jones, personally requested help in catching JI bomb experts Omar Patek and Dulmatin, dead or alive. United States officials made the request as they secretly met Moro Islamic Liberation [MILF] leaders in a rebel camp somewhere in Shariff Kabunsuan, on the restive island of Mindanao, on Thursday. "They want us to help by providing vital information that will lead to the arrest of the two terrorists. I said we could help them because we are also against the two. We are always affected by their activities," Jaafar said. The Patek and Dulmatin are allegedly responsible for several bombings in the region, including the deadly 2002 Bali bombings. According to Jaafar, Jones was accompanied by Jon. D. Lindborg, the United States agency for international development's mission director, Col. David S. Maxwell, joint special operations task force commander, Col. Bruce A. West, defense and air attache', and Paul Kennedy, regional security officer. "They asked also about the whereabouts of Abdul Basit Usman. We told them that he never became a member of our organisation ever since," Jaafar added. Usman, a suspected terrorist responsible for a series of bomb attacks in the southern Philippines in recent months, has a 50,000 dollar bounty on his head for his arrest. The MILF renounced any link with terrorist organisations in 2003 when its late leader, Salamat Hashim, asked Washington to get involved in the still ongoing peace talks with Manila.

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Down Under

Australian Troops to hunt down Terrorists in S.Phillipines

2007-01-28

AUSTRALIA will send troops to strife-torn central Mindanao in the southern Philippines under a landmark defence agreement designed to upgrade Canberra's role in the regional fight against Islamist terrorism. As US-backed Philippines forces close in on Bali bombers and Jemaah Islamiah kingpins Dulmatin and Omar Patek, on southern Jolo island, Australian defence forces are planning military exercises with their Philippines counterparts in the Mindanao heartland of local and foreign al-Qaeda-linked terrorists. Major-General Nehemias Pajarito, commander of the Philippine army's 6th infantry division, said he would meet with Australian ambassador to The Philippines Tony Hely and his defence attache Chris Burns tomorrow at military headquarters outside Cotabato City to discuss the details of the escalated defence co-operation program. Talks would centre on how the forces, in their joint exercises, would monitor al-Qaeda-linked terror cells and training camps. The exercises, tentatively scheduled for later this year, are subject to ratification of the status of forces agreement between The Philippines and Australia by the Philippine Senate. "They (the Australians) want to come here and participate in the monitoring of the ceasefire (with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front)," Major-General Pajarito said. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front separatist group has led an insurgency in the region for more than three decades but is now involved in official peace talks. Major-General Pajarito said Mr Hely planned to bring up Australia's hopes of playing a larger role in the peace process, through aid projects. Already Australia has promised 30 river boats to aid local forces in their search for armed rebel groups linked to JI and the allied local kidnap-for-ransom group, Abu Sayyaf. While The Philippines and Australian military would like to conduct large-scale military exercises, the number of troops allowed will depend on political support in the Philippine Senate. Up to five JI members are believed to be operating terrorist cells in the area, in league with dozens of renegade MILF commanders, who are violating the group's 2005 disavowal of links with terrorists. The Australian military faces stiff local opposition to the proposed deployment, with the local mayor warning foreign terrorists could flock to Mindanao to begin a campaign of violence against an Australian troop presence. "The Australians should send more economic assistance, not military presence," Cotabato City's Mayor, Muslimin Sema, said. "That will just create problems. Al-Qaeda could come here and create violence as a reaction."

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Southeast Asia

AFP girds for final battle with Sayyaf

2007-01-28

The military has embarked on a final assault against the Abu Sayyaf Group and its terrorist ally, Jemaah Islamiyah. The major offensive involves 8,000 soldiers and represents the final stage of Oplan: Ultimatum, said Brig. Gen. Ruben Rafael, commander of Task Force Comet, which was formed late last year to go after the terrorist groups. With their leaders Khadaffy Janjalani and Abu Solaiman dead, Abu Sayyaf has been reduced into smaller groups, Rafael said. “The deaths of Janjalani and Solaiman have dealt a big blow to the already disorganized group.” The groups, run by so-called sub-leaders, were expected to re-group soon and join forces to stop the military assault. Rafael would not confirm reports that the aging Radullan Sahiron and the younger, more aggressive Albader Parad have taken over the ASG top leadership. But he said the remaining ASG leaders including Isnilon Hapilon should not be underestimated because they were also capable of leading the ASG remnants citing their vast experience with the group being senior leaders. Rafael said the 8,000 troops were enough to finish the job of wiping out the Abu Sayyaf. “I have enough forces there to go after them but how we are going to deal with the terrorist group, I would not tell you. That is my secret.” Rafael said the troops have been recharged and re-energized and are raring to go after the terrorists following their successive operations, which resulted in the killing of Janjalani and Solaiman. Government forces have kept the ASG bandits on the run forcing them to split into smaller groups though they have already been virtually trapped in the jungles of Sulu. “We have also kept the two JI bombers—Dulmatin and Omar Patek—running with ASG bandits,” Rafael said as he confirmed intelligence reports that the duo, who allegedly masterminded the 2002 Bali bombings that killed more than 200 people mostly Australian tourists, were still in Jolo.

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Southeast Asia

Bali bomber hurt in Filipino gunfight

2007-01-25

SOUTHEAST Asia's most wanted terrorist, Bali bomb mastermind Dulmatin, has been wounded in a fierce gunfight on remote Jolo Island in a significant win for US-backed Philippines forces battling to "eliminate" the Jemaah Islamiah kingpin and his Abu Sayyaf cronies. The Australian, in a series of interviews with the top Philippines and US commanders in the southern Philippines, has also learned that Dulmatin, along with his JI Bali bomber partner Omar Patek, are on the run for their lives on Jolo. The pair spend no longer than six hours in one place on the jungle-covered volcanic island. According to Philippines Brigadier-General Ruben Rafael, they have even resorted to cross-dressing sporting wigs and burkas to evade 6000 troops hunting them. Dulmatin, who has a $US10million ($13 million) bounty on his head, has hidden two of his children away on the nearby island of Basilan, probably with the widow of Abu Sayyaf founder Abburajak Janjalani, one commander said. However, he is unable to leave Jolo to see them because of intense coastguard surveillance and regular reconnaissance flights by US Orion spy planes. "Dulmatin is here till he dies," Captain Abdurassad Sirajan, of the 104th Brigade of the Philippines army, in Jolo, told The Australian. "His assignment is to lead the Abu Sayyaf group - that is why he was sent here from Indonesia." JI, the Southeast Asian affiliate of al-Qaida, is aligned to the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf. Captain Sirajan, a Jolo-raised Muslim and former Moro National Liberation Front commander, said the bomb technician, who planned the 2002 Bali attacks that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians, was injured last week as Philippines soldiers overran a joint JI/Abu Sayyaf terrorist camp in the southern Philippines. Dulmatin, was shot during the three-hour battle involving about 60 Abu Sayyaf and JI gunmen. Abu Solaiman, Abu Sayyaf's spokesman, who had a $US5million ($6.4 million) bounty on his head, was killed during the raid. But Dulmatin, who goes by one name, escaped on foot. According to unconfirmed sightings, he was with Patek. "They are on the run and we have many informants covering Dulmatin and Patek in Sulu, so we are expecting good developments within this week," said General Eugenio Cedo, Philippines military chief for Western Mindanao, including Jolo and the Sulu islands. "They realise that they are losing some leaders and maybe they will make themselves vulnerable by attempting or trying to get even. Revenge, you know it is part of their culture. They make the war more personal." The Abu Sayyaf group and their supporters are threatening locals with violence to force them to offer shelter and support - including food and money - to their members and to Dulmatin and Patek. The US-backed Philippines military operation Ultimatum, under way in Jolo since August, has successfully targeted "high-value terrorists" from JI and Abu Sayyaf, including local leader Khadaffy Janjalani. DNA tests last week confirmed the 31- year-old guerilla was iced killed in clashes in Jolo in September. Janjalani and Solaiman were wanted for numerous terrorist bombings, killings and beheadings of Christians and westerners, including the 2004 super ferry passenger bombing near Manila that killed more than 100, the 2005 Valentine's Day bombings in the capital and a string of attacks in the southern Philippines. Binang Sali, the leader of the Abu Sayyaf urban terrorist group, has also been killed during the military offensive, aided by hundreds of US special forces and intelligence experts. Earlier this month, Philippines forces killed an Indonesian member of JI, in a sea battle near the Tawi-Tawi islands south of Jolo, as he tried to escape for Sabah in Malaysia. Australia, which is seeking to upgrade defence relations with The Philippines through a status of forces agreement, has offered significant support and training to the Philippines police and military. For the first time, Philippines police have confirmed the presence of Australian special forces officers in the southern Philippines. Zamboanga Port police commander Francisco Clavesillas told The Australian he met Australian SAS officers last year, and also detailed comprehensive training in port security offered in Mindanao by the Australian transport department.

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Southeast Asia

2 hurt in Cotabato bomb attack; police blame JI, ASG

2007-01-06

Two persons including a village official were wounded in the blast here Friday morning, which the police have blamed on members of Al-Qaeda affiliated Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). The local police office corrected conflicting initial reports citing only one was hurt in the explosion that occurred around 11:10 a.m. in front of the H and F Refreshment Parlor situated along Makakua St., a commercial area in this city. The victims were identified as Max Malang Uttoh, a village official from Sultan sa Barongis, Shariff Kabunsuan province and Fatima Diocolano, an employee of a city-based insurance company. Two other homemade explosives attached to the exploding bomb were disarmed by responding Army bomb disposal experts who responded to the scene. All three bombs were later found to have been fashioned from 60-mm mortar explosives, a signature bomb manufacturing of both JI and Abu Sayyaf terror groups. In a related development, Supt. Peraco Macacua, city police director, claimed to have intercepted an intelligence report last week citing JI militants, along with Abu Sayyaf allies, would stage a series of attacks in retaliation to the filing of murder charges against JI fugitives Omar Patek and Dulmatin in connection with the October 2006 bombings in Central Mindanao that killed at least 10 persons. "This is a handiwork of the JI and Abu Sayyaf militants," the police official stressed. An update said security alert status has been raised in the entire South Central Mindanao region following the bomb attack here.

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Southeast Asia

Abu Sayyaf field commander captured in Zamboanga Peninsula

2006-11-27

A suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) commander was captured by government intelligence operatives in Colonia Village, Lamitan town, Nasilan province, sketchy reports reaching the area command and operation center of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (WestMincom) on Sunday said. A flash report received by Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo, area command chief of the WestMincom from 103rd Infantry Brigade, said Annik Abbas, alias Abu Anek, one of the ASG commanders, was captured by the intelligence operatives while on his way to Sinangkalaan in Tuburan town Friday evening. The report said the unarmed ASG commander did not resist arrest when nabbed. He joined the ASG and was named one of the field commanders of Khaddafy Janjalani in 2003, the military said. The arrested suspect allegedly figured in the beheading of American hostage Guillermo Sobero in June 2001. Sobero was among the 21 persons allegedly victimized by Abbas, including American couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, who were abducted from the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan in May 2001. Martin was killed while in captivity and his wife Gracia was rescued the following year in Zamboanga Peninsula. Abbas, was initially arrested but managed to escape from his prison cell in 2004 jailbreak in Basilan, military record disclosed. Basilan Gov. Wahab Akbar offered a P1 million bounty for the capture of Abbas, it was learned. On Saturday, AFP Chief of Staff General Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. ordered field unit commanders in Southern Philippines to capture ASG chieftain Khaddafy Janjalani and his other field unit commanders and two Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) bomb specialists Dulmaten and Omar Patek, who are suspects in the 2002 Bali bombings in Indonesia that killed more than 200 people and wounded several others. Meanwhile, an ASG member was killed while two others were captured during a brief gunbattle with police intelligence operatives in Ayala Village, in Basilan, a police report also said.

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Southeast Asia

Philippines nabs a big catch in the War on Terror!

2006-11-25

Check out the t-shirt at the link. It happened today, the Philippine Armed Forces (AFP) got a huge catch in the War on Terror! Remember the group of hostages that was taken by the Abu Sayyaf in June of 2001? That’s the same group that included Martin and Gracia Burnham, the American Missionary couple that was held by the Abu Sayyaf. In the end, Martin was killed by his captors, while Gracia was injured, but able to return alive to the United States. At that time, another of the American Hostages, Guillermo Sobrero was beheaded by his Abu Sayyaf captors. Well, today, the AFP nabbed the very suspect that beheaded Guillermo Sobrero, a huge win in the War on Terror. If the news gets coverage in the United States, I am certain that a lot of Americans will cheer this and consider it a huge win for the Government of the Philippines. Here’s the story, as told by the Inquirer: Military intelligence agents have arrested the Abu Sayyaf leader who allegedly decapitated American hostage Guillermo Sobero in June 2001, the military said Saturday. Major Eugene Batara, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said Annik Abbas alias Abu Anek was arrested on Friday evening in Colonia village in Lamitan, Basilan. Abbas’s victim, Sobero, was among 21 persons — including American couple Martin and Gracia Burnham — taken from the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan during a raid by the group of bandits in May 2001. Sobero’s execution was announced by Abu Sayyaf spokesperson Abu Sabaya two weeks after the abduction. “We have beheaded Sobero as a gift to the country on Independence Day,” Sabaya told a local radio station then. Sobero’s body was found about three weeks later, also in Basilan. Batara said Abbad did not resist arrest. “Abbas was on his way to Sinangkapan village in Tuburan town when he was spotted by two of our men,” Batara said. Abbas was unarmed and alone when arrested according to Batara. Basilan Governor Wahab Akbar described Abbas as “the most dangerous Abu Sayyaf.” “He was the executioner of American hostage Guillermo Sobero way back 2001,” he said. Akbar said Abbas was previously arrested but managed to escape from prison during the 2004 jail break in Basilan. He rejoined the Abu Sayyaf and was named commander of the group previously under Hamsiraji Sali, who was killed by soldiers in 2003, according to Akbar. “I am giving P1 million to the civilian informants who helped the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade in his arrest,” the Basilan governor said. On Thursday evening, police intelligence operatives also killed an Abu Sayyaf member during an operation here. Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, police intelligence chief for Western Mindanao, said his men were serving a warrant of arrest against Itting and Anni Sailani, who were being sought for the death of former Inquirer photographer Gene Boyd Lumawag, in Ayala village here. “But the serving of warrant ended in a gun fight at the Ayala bridge when the group resisted. This led to the death of Joselito Nasara alias Abu Sufian, Sofia, and Kirrs,” Casimiro said. The Sailani brothers, he said, managed to escape. During a follow up operation in Pamucutan village here, Casimiro said, policemen arrested Jayrold Nasara, younger brother of the slain Abu Sayyaf member, and another suspect, identified as Salahuddin Asikain Ogis. Police seized .45 caliber pistol, an M-16 Armalite rifle and ammunition, a motorbike, a cellular phone, a machete, and personal belongings, according to Casimiro Casimiro said the police remained on high alert following reports the Abu Sayyaf was planning to sow terror in the city. In Jolo, Sulu, Armed Forces Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. ordered soldiers to get ranking Abu Sayyaf leaders, including Khadaffy Janjalani, and Indonesian bomb experts Dulmatin and Omar Patek before Christmas.

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Southeast Asia

Omar Patek Reportedly Killed in Philippines

2006-09-12

(AKI) - One of two top Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) members hiding in the southern Philippines province of Sulu, was reportedly killed by Filipino security forces, a spokesperson for the Muslim rebel groups in the south told Adnkronos International (AKI) on Monday. Eid Kabalu, spokesperson of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said that their forces in the town of Jolo, some 590 miles south of Manila, have received information that one of two JI militants was killed in last week's offensive by the Philippine Army and Marines in the nearby town of Patikul. "We have dispatched troops there to look for the remains of the terrorist. It was last week. Although it was not just clear, we are helping the government in confirming it," Kabalu told AKI without naming the slain JI militant. The MILF, which is currently in peace talks with Manila, has formed an Adhoc Joint Action Group with Manila, to run after terrorists and lawless elements in Southern Philippines. The two Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists are Umar Patek and Dulmatin. Patek is believed to have served as the assistant for the field coordinator of the Bali bombings that killed 202 people in 2002. Dulmatin, an electronics specialist with training in al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan, is a senior figure of JI. Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban, who is leading the pursuit operations against foreign terrorists and Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu, was quoted by the Philippine Star as saying “that they are confirming the reports that Omar Patek died from the wounds he suffered.” Sabban said Patek was wounded when his men attacked a lair of Abu Sayyaf in the outskirts of Luba Hill in the village of Tugas, on September 4. The attack was part of a military wide offensive against Abu Sayyaf and JI, which started on July 31. The aim of the attack is to get Dulmatin, Patek and Abu Sayyaf leaders Khadaffy Janjalani, Isnilon Hapilon and Abu Sulaiman either dead or alive.

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Southeast Asia

JI Bomber Banged in Sulu Shootout

2006-09-07

Janjalani, JI leader wounded in Sulu clash The military, quoting civilian sources, reported yesterday that Abu Sayyaf chief Khadaffy Janjalani and Indonesian Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) bomb expert Umar Patek may have been wounded after a heavy firefight with government troops in the jungles of Patikul, Sulu. Missed him by that much, Chief. Col. Allan Luga, chief of the Armed Forces Operations Center at Camp Aguinaldo, said the military is still verifying the reports, which quoted civilian sources who allegedly saw the wounded Janjalani and Patek. "Omar Patek and Janjalani were wounded as per report from civilians. We are still confirming this. Until such time that we confirm that, we cannot really say that they were wounded during the encounter with the Marines," Luga said. He said there were specific reports from civilians that Janjalani was hit in the back. He added there are reports that four wounded Abu Sayyaf bandits were seen being carried on horseback in the jungle. Luga said relentless operations since Aug. 1 in Patikul and Parang towns have forced the militants to split into Pray for sepsis. two main groups, with the larger band of about 150 to 200 guerrillas led by Janjalani heading toward Mt. Sinumaan. Also sighted with Janjalani’s groups were Patek and another JI member Dulmatin, who uses only one name, and Abu Sayyaf leaders Radullan Sahiron, Isnilon Hapilon and Abu Solaiman. The smaller group, composed of 30 to 40 bandits, went to Mt. Tukay in Parang town, where the latest encounter with the Marines occurred. The military said that two soldiers and two Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while several others were wounded in that encounter. Luga said two soldiers were killed and three others were wounded on Wednesday, while one Abu Sayyaf bandit was shot dead before dawn Thursday. The body of another guerrilla believed to have been killed on Wednesday was also recovered yesterday. Two Abu Sayyaf members were also captured on Tuesday. He said the latest casualties came after six Marines were killed and 19 wounded on Monday in one of the biggest operations against the Abu Sayyaf group protecting Dulmatin and Patek, the two Indonesian militants belonging to the al-Qaeda-linked JI. "We have the upperhand." Luga said. "That’s the reason why they split into groups, so that the concentration of the troops would be diverted. But, as I’ve said, we have employed a lot of soldiers in the area, so they are on the run." Reinforcements due Luga said fresh reinforcements were headed for Jolo Thursday, including a battalion of 500 special forces troops to augment about 1,500 soldiers and Marines. The offensive in the area was prompted by the recent sightings of Janjalani and the Indonesian fugitives who are both wanted for allegedly helping plan the October 2002 bombings in Bali that killed 202 people, most of them foreign tourists. Western Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Eugenio Cedo said the Abu Sayyaf members encountered by government troops were probably trying to reinforce Janjalani’s group that was reported to be trapped in Patikul. Cedo flew to Sulu yesterday morning, after leading the funeral service at Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City for the six Marines who were earlier killed in the fighting. The slain soldiers were identified as Corporals Isagani Zamora, Judy Gatan and Ryan Socratez and Privates First Class Harold Almodobar, Jayson Paiton and Gilbert Parsia II. Cedo said additional troops are arriving in Sulu to join the offensive and prevent the bandits from escaping. Two Marines who were wounded in the fighting are currently confined at the Camp Navarro General Hospital inside the Western Mindanao Command (formerly Southern Command) headquarters in Zamboanga City. Pfc. Nicholas Polmo said that during the firefight, he noticed one of the Abu Sayyaf leaders, believed to be Janjalani, riding on a horse moving around and directing the assault on the soldiers. Polmo said he tried to shoot the horse rider, but he moved fast and trees blocked his line of fire. "Janjalani was moving around directing all the followers to hit us," said Polmo who sustained bullet wounds on his thigh and abdomen. He said it was hard to recognize the presence of the two JI members Dulmatin and Patek among the bandits because it was early dawn and still dark. Marine Pfc. Dante Advincula said his group was able to penetrate the outer perimeter of the Abu Sayyaf position. Advincula, who was shot in the right side of the head by sniper fire, said the troops engaged the bandits. Some of Abu Sayyaf members are believed to be equipped with night vision goggles. Gee, would those goggles be from the British batch that Iran has been handing out like party favors to all the terrorists? "So we stood with the mission to hit their core and put our stand," he said after coordinating with their commanders. He said their 28-man Marines commando unit, that was also equipped with night vision goggles, began creeping towards the Abu Sayyaf position at Luba Hill in barangay Tugason on Sunday night. -

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