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Southeast Asia

US Ambassador to Manila snubs Sulu officials

2014-06-09

The Smartest Men In the Room. (tm) US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg has inspected American troops stationed in the town of Jolo in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, but his visit was came under fire after he did not bother to meet with local government officials. Goldberg and embassy officials visited Jolo on June 2 and went straight to the Philippine Marine Brigade headquarters where US troops put up a small camp under the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines. Some sources said that local officials, who learned about Goldberg's visit, had even prepared and were ready to brief the former Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research in case he wanted to discuss peace and development efforts in the province. But no one from Goldberg's group nor the US Embassy informed the officials that the ambassador would not be meeting with them for still unknown reasons. Some officials said they felt insulted and likened the American ambassador to a cat. One official said, "You know, cats just go inside your house and leave whenever they want. Animals do not have courtesy." Many Muslims oppose the presence of US troops in Sulu because of the massacre of hundreds in what is known now as the "Bud Dajo Massacre" which happened over a century ago, but the memory of the American campaign is still fresh in the minds of many local Muslims. Some 600 US troops have been stationed in the region since 2001 after three American nationals - Kansas missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, and California man Guillermo Sobero - were kidnapped from a posh resort by the Abu Sayyaf. Sobero was beheaded by militants connected to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya, while Martin was killed during a US-led rescue operation.

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Southeast Asia

Suspected Abu Sayyaf bad boy nabbed

2010-02-20

[Straits Times] PHILIPPINE troops arrested a suspected Muslim militant accused in the high-profile kidnappings of three Americans, two of whom were later killed, and dozens of Filipinos nine years ago, the military reported on Friday. It said Jumadali Arad was captured at Manila harbour on Thursday as he was about to board a ship bound for the southern Philippines, where the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group has planted bombs and carried out kidnappings despite US-backed military offensives against the militants. Arad had been in hiding since 2001, when Abu Sayyaf abducted three American and 17 Filipino tourists from the Dos Palmas resort in south-western Palawan province at the start of a year-long kidnapping spree, said marine commandant Major General Juancho Sabban. American missionary Gracia Burnham survived the jungle captivity, but husband Martin was killed in the military rescue in 2002. The third American, Guillermo Sobero, was beheaded by the militants on Basilan Island. Arad, who allegedly drove a speedboat loaded with the hostages during the kidnappings, was reportedly on a mission to buy ammunition for Abu Sayyaf commander Isnilon Hapilon when he was arrested on Thursday, the military said in a statement. Hapilon has been indicted in the US on kidnapping and murder charges, and Washington offered a US$5 million (S$7.07 million) reward for his capture.

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Southeast Asia

Suspected militant arrested

2009-09-02

[Straits Times] POLICE have captured a suspected Al-Qaeda-linked militant accused of high-profile kidnappings of at least four Americans and dozens of Filipinos in the southern Philippines, officials said on Tuesday. Last week's arrest of Hajer Sailani, an alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf, in a shopping mall in southern Cotabato city was the latest success of a crackdown that has netted several militants in the country's south and foiled kidnapping and terror plots, police said. Sailani has been linked to the 2000 kidnapping of American Jeffrey Schilling, a Muslim convert who travelled to an Abu Sayyaf jungle stronghold on southern Jolo Island but was held by the militants on suspicion that he was working for the CIA, police spokesman Leonardo Espina said. Schilling escaped eight months later. Did he remain Muslim after he left? Sailani also was allegedly involved in the 2001 kidnapping of three Americans and 17 Filipino tourists at the Dos Palmas resort in south-western Palawan province, which prompted Washington to deploy US troops to the southern Mindanao region to help the Philippine military rescue them, Mr Espina said. American missionary Gracia Burnham survived the yearlong jungle captivity, but husband Martin was killed in the military rescue in 2002. The third American, Guillermo Sobero, was beheaded by the militants on Basilan Island. Mr Espina said Sailani also played a role in the kidnappings of dozens of teachers, priests and students in two Basilan schools in 2000. Most of the hostages were freed or escaped, but at least two teachers were beheaded. A civilian informant on Tuesday received a US$7,000-dollar reward for the tip leading Sailani's arrest, national police chief Director General Jesus Versoza said. The national police 'will not rest until all terrorists and criminals are arrested, accounted for and neutralised,' Mr Espina said. Among those arrested recently was Dinno-Amor Rosalejos Pareja, alleged head of the Rajah Solaiman Movement that officials say was behind the 2004 Manila ferry bombing that killed 116 people in the country's worst terror attack.

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Southeast Asia

14 Abu Sayyaf in Jug for Life for kidnapping

2007-12-06

MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Fourteen Muslim terrorists militants were sentenced to life in prison Thursday for the 2001 kidnapping of a U.S. missionary couple and 18 others in a yearlong jungle ordeal that prompted U.S.-backed offensives against the guerrillas. Gracia Burnham, of Wichita, Kan., survived the captivity, but her husband, Martin, was killed during a military rescue in June 2002. Guillermo Sobero of Corona, Calif., was beheaded by the rebels. Most of the top leaders of the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group, which orchestrated the abductions at a resort island, have been killed in clashes since the trial opened in 2003. Philippine officials have credited the U.S. counterterrorism training that started in 2002 for many of the battlefield successes. "We commend the justice system for showing the rule of law," said Robert Courtney, the U.S. Justice Department's attache at the Manila embassy. He said he would relay the decision to Gracia Burnham. The Burnhams, missionaries for the Florida-based New Tribes Mission, were celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary when they were snatched by the Abu Sayyaf at the upscale Dos Palmas resort on Palawan island in May 2001, and taken by speedboat to southern Basilan island. The rescue operation left a Filipino nurse dead, and two Filipino security guards from the resort also were beheaded by the terrorists rebels. The other hostages were released or managed to escape. Defendant Toting Hannoh, who was found guilty, struck a defiant note. Asked if this was the end of the Abu Sayyaf, he said: "No, it will become stronger." Out of 85 suspects originally charged with kidnapping, 23 were captured and tried, and 18 appeared in court. Four were acquitted Thursday. Four others were killed in a botched prison break in 2005, and one has been cleared of charges. Out of 85 suspects originally charged with kidnapping, 23 were captured and tried, and 18 appeared in court. Four were acquitted Thursday. Four others were killed in a botched prison break in 2005, and one has been cleared of charges. A year after the resort raid, the U.S. military began sending troops and instructors to train Filipino soldiers in counterterrorism. U.S.-backed offensives had dislodged the terrorists guerrillas from their bases on Basilan, but they have remained a major threat and continued to regroup. Officials estimate their number is down to about 300 terrorists guerrillas from about 1,000 in 2001. The overall leader, Khadaffy Janjalani, was killed last September in fighting on southern Jolo island. His presumed successor, Abu Sulaiman, was shot dead in a separate clash earlier this year. Dont'cha just love stories that finish with a happy ending.

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Southeast Asia

Daffy's piety was his own undoing

2007-01-22

Belmont Club The Philippine Daily Inquirer (no online edition) claims that Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani, who was just confirmed dead by DNA testing after having been reported killed on September 4, 2006, brought on his death by chanting prayers in the Sulu hinterland. "Janjalani's own voice in the early hours ... as he sang and prayed hymns from the Koran led to the discovery of his hiding place ... at least that was the view from the side of the hunters." Varmit hunters, listening for their prey baying at the moon... According to the news story, it was the sound of Janjalani's own voice that brought on his death. Think through the theology of this one for a second . . . his own prayers brought the wrath of the infidels down upon him. His glorious jihad brought to a futile and untimely end because he stopped to pray. Would it be too much of a stretch to say Allah betrayed him? Janjalani was one of the men who kidnapped 21 tourists at a dive resort in Palawan to hold as hostages. They included Americans Guillermo Sobrero, who was later beheaded and missionaries Tim and Gracia Burnham. Tim Burnham was killed in the rescue attempt. One by one, all the Abu Sayyaf involved in kidnapping the Americans are dying. Or, this Karma lady, she is, as they say, a cast-iron Hillary real bitch high-maintenance girlfriend.

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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

Abu Bara arrested in Kumalarang

2006-05-10

They said Komoni Pael, also known by his nom de guerre, Abu Bara, was nabbed in the remote village of Kumalarang, Isabela City, on Monday after civilians reported his presence to the military. Authorities have implicated Pael in the 2001 kidnappings of more than a dozen farmers, many beheaded on the island, said Brig. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, commander of military forces in Basilan. “Pael is a notorious Abu Sayyaf member who was behind many kidnappings and killings in Basilan. There is an ongoing operation to track down other members of the terrorist group,” Ferrer said. He said Pael is also facing a string of criminal charges in Basilan. Last month, Ferrer’s group captured another Abu Sayyaf militant, Abdusalih Dimah, in Kapayawan Village, Isabela City, after weeks of surveillance by soldiers. Dimah was implicated in the 2001 kidnapping of 20 holiday-makers, including three US citizens—the Kansas missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and the Californian Guillermo Sobero—in the posh Dos Palmas resort in Palawan.

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Southeast Asia

Top Abu Sayyaf rebel arrested in Philippines

2006-04-25

MANILA A Muslim militant leader accused of the kidnapping of three US tourists has been arrested in the southern Philippines, the military said on Tuesday. Senior Abu Sayyaf leader Shari Amiruddin, also known as Abu Omar, was “the planner” of the May 2001 kidnappings on the western island resort of Dos Palmas and also took part in “bombing operations” in several southern cities, the military said. He was arrested in the southern city of Zamboanga on Monday by army intelligence agents. An Abu Sayyaf band led by Amiruddin raided the Dos Palmas resort and seized more than a dozen hostages, including the US Christian missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and Peru-born California resident Guillermo Sobero. Sobero was beheaded while in captivity while Martin Burnham was shot dead during a rescue attempt in June 2002. His wife Gracia was rescued. The hostages were taken by boat to the jungles of Basilan, a rugged island in the southern Philippines and a rebel stronghold. They were kept in near starvation and moved from camp to camp in shackles as the Abu Sayyaf rebels eluded a massive manhunt that lasted for over a year. The Filipino hostages were freed one by one, allegedly in exchange for ransom. The previous year, the Abu Sayyaf seized 21 European and Asian tourists from the Malaysian resort island of Sipadan. All of them were also freed after Libya offered funds for their release. The US State Department considers the Abu Sayyaf a “foreign terrorist organization” which once received funding from Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda network. The group is also responsible for the worst terrorist attack ever in the Philippines, fire-bombing a passenger ferry off the main island of Luzon in February 2004, killing more than 100 people. Last week, a Singapore-based security analyst said the Abu Sayyaf has been cultivating links with the Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast Asian militant group blamed for the October 2002 and 2005 bombings in Bali, Indonesia.

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Southeast Asia

7 Abu Suffia members surrender

2006-04-12

Seven members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Suffia gang voluntarily surrendered to the military in the province of Sarangani, a top military official announced. Armed Forces of the Philippines' 4th Civil Relations Group (CRG) chief Lt. Col. Oscar Lasangue said the militants are followers of Akmad Yusop, whose group is affiliated with the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf, operating in the areas of Maitum, Lake Sebu and Palimbang in Sarangani province. Lasangue identified them as Eddie Tungkay alias Tafilak, Daniel Bon alias Otig, Luna Tungkay alias Hamsa, Josen Tungkay alias Josen, Richard Tungkay alias Maglam, Israel Tungkay alias Dod, and Ludy Gaday alias Ludy. The former members of the militant group said they were merely used by Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon as security guard and tour guides in Sarangani province. Hapilon alias Salahuddin has a P11 million bounty in his head. Hapilon is one of the Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf leaders who fled to remote areas in Mindanao to escape authorities. Hapilon, like Khadafy Janjalani and Jainal Antel Sali alias Abu Solaiman were involved in the 2001 kidnapping of Americans Guillermo Sobero and missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham. Lasangue said the Abu Sayyaf movements are limited and are no longer capable of committing terror actions as the military offensive continues with great intensity coupled by the people's support in the government's anti-terror campaign.

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Southeast Asia

Abu Sayyaf kidnapper captured

2006-03-14

AN ISLAMIC gunman accused of kidnapping US tourists was arrested in his hideout in Parang town in Mindanao yesterday, the Army chief said. Alleged Abu Sayyaf member Burham Sali was “involved in the kidnapping of the Dos Palmas tourists in 2001,” Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon told reporters. Christian missionary Martin Burnham and fellow US citizen Guillermo Sobero were killed in captivity after Abu Sayyaf bandits raided a resort off Palawan in May 2001 and seized several tourists, including a number of Filipinos. Burnham’s wife and fellow missionary Gracia Burnham was rescued on Mindanao the following year. Sali was also involved in the kidnapping of several schoolteachers on the southern island of Basilan in 2000, Esperon said. Sali was captured by policemen and troops from the 6th Infantry Division led by Maj. Gen. Agustin Dimaala, Esperon said.

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Southeast Asia

US labels Mindanao, Sulu Archipelago as terrorist sanctuary

2006-03-10

The United States has tagged Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago in the southern Philippines as sanctuary and training grounds for terrorists. Navy Admiral William J. Fallon, chief of the US Pacific Command, said the southern Philippines is also a recruiting ground for terrorist organizations. "The southern Philippines, Mindanao, and the Sulu archipelago remain a sanctuary, training, and recruiting ground for terrorist organizations," he told the Senate armed services committee on Wednesday. Fallon said activities by terrorists and their supporters have been centered in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia and that these countries are cooperating with the US. "With the cooperation of those nations, we have been building capacity and strengthening the ability of those countries to resist the activities of the terrorists and to actively seek their capture or demise," he said. He said Southeast Asia remains the command's focal point in the war on terror. He said winning the war on terrorism is his highest priority and to achieve that goal, the command is striving to eliminate the violence that now threatens the people and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. "We continue efforts to create a secure and stable environment," Fallon said. "We have in place key elements to succeed in advancing US security interests and enhancing regional stability -- vibrant alliances, opportunities for new partnerships, combat ready and agile forces, and committed soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines to lead our efforts," he said. He said the command is also working to mature joint and combined war fighting capability and readiness. "Fundamental to success in the war on terror and continued stability in the Asia-Pacific region is our joint and combined war fighting capability and readiness," Fallon said. "As virtually every operation and activity is conducted jointly and in concert with allies, it is important that we train to operate more efficiently as a multinational team." Fallon did not say what terrorist groups were operating in the southern Philippines, but Manila previously admitted that dozens of members of the Southeast Asian terror group Jemaah Islamiya, including Dulmatin and Pitono -- who linked to the deadly 2002 Bali bombings, were hiding in Mindanao island. Aside from the Jemaah Islamiya, the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group, implicated in the spate of bombings and kidnappings of foreigners in Mindanao, and renegade members of the local Muslim separatist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front are also active in the southern Philippines. Washington continues to support the Philippines, a key US ally in the so-called global war on terrorism, in fighting the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya. The two countries just concluded a joint anti-terrorism drill in the southern island of Jolo, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf group. Fallon said the Philippines has taken the lead on initiatives to improve counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries. Just this week, the Federal Bureau of Investigation added the leader of the Abu Sayyaf, Khadaffy Janjalani, and his two lieutenants Totoni Hapilon and Jainal Antel Sali to the Most Wanted Terrorists and Seeking Information-War on Terrorism lists. The FBI said the terrorists are being sought for their alleged involvement in various attacks or planned attacks around the world. Major General Gabriel Habacon, commander of military forces in the southern Philippines, praised the FBI for the inclusion of Janjalani and two senior Abu Sayyaf leaders to its wanted lists and said the Philippines will closely work with US authorities in the so-called war on terror. He said there is an ongoing operation to track down members of the Abu Sayyaf in the southern region, including suspected Jemaah Islamiya militants believed to be hiding in Mindanao island. The FBI said Janjalani, Hapilon and Sali are part of the terrorist organization Abu Sayyaf group, which is responsible for the kidnapping and murder of foreign nationals in the Philippines. Last month, the US Embassy in Manila paid over US$100,000 reward to a Filipino in Zamboanga City who helped authorities capture Abu Sayyaf terrorist Toting Hanno. Hanno was suspected of taking part in the abduction of three American citizens -- Christian missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, and Guillermo Sobero -- from the Dos Palmas resort in the central Philippine province of Palawan in May 2001. Sobero was later killed and a year later Martin Burnham died in a US-led military rescue while his wife was wounded. Hanno was arrested in May 2002, but escaped from the Basilan provincial jail a year later. He was recaptured in January last year on an island off Zamboanga. Washington has already paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in rewards for the capture and killings of Abu Sayyaf members and leaders, including about US$359,600 to three men who helped locate Hamsiraji Sali, a key Abu Sayyaf commander who was killed in a clash with government troops in 2004 on Basilan island, about 15 miles south of Zamboanga City.

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