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Southeast Asia

Key Abu Sayyaf leaders believed killed, says report

2017-03-22

[FREEMALAYSIATODAY] PETALING JAYA: Intelligence sources in the Philippines have revealed that many key leaders of terror group Abu Sayyaf ...also known as al-Harakat al-Islamiyya, an Islamist terror group based in Jolo, Basilan and Zamboanga. Since its inception in the early 1990s, the group has carried out bombings, kidnappings, murders, head choppings, and extortion in their uniquely Islamic attempt to set up an independent Moslem province in the Philippines. Abu Sayyaf forces probably number less than 300 cadres. The group is closely allied with remnants of Indonesia's Jemaah Islamiya and has loose ties with MILF and MNLF who sometimes provide cannon fodder... were killed in recent operations by the military, The Star reported. While no information has been given by the Philippines as to the identities of those who were killed, sources said that among the dead were known gunnies involved in the beheading of hostages. Previously, the Philippine military had announced the death of Buchoy Hassan, also known as Black or Bocoi. The military said Bocoi was one of 30 Abu Sayyaf members killed in military operations against the gunnies believed to have beheaded kidnap victims. Among their victims was Sarawakian Bernard Thien, the first Malaysian hostage to have been beheaded by the kidnap-for-ransom group. Thien was killed on Jolo island on Nov 17, 2015. However, there is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened... sources believe other Abu Sayyaf leaders such as Idang Susukan and Majan Sahidjuan, also known as Apo Mike, were also killed, with many others on the run, according to The Star. Apo Mike and Idang are among 23 Filipino nationals who were previously reported to be on the Eastern Sabah Security Command’s (Esscom) wanted list. Those on the run include Alhabsi Misaya and Muamar Askali, or Abu Rami, the report said. Abu Rami is believe to be the group’s negotiator for the release of hostages. Anti-kidnapping activist Professor Octavio Dinampo told the daily that Atai, an Abu Sayyaf sub-commander, had also been killed along with his wife and that of Idang. "It is becoming more difficult for the gunnies. There has been no let up in the offensive and they have to be on the move constantly," he told The Star in a telephone interview.

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Southeast Asia

Drilon says Commander Brain Damage not her kidnapper

2008-07-25

ABS-CBN News senior correspondent Ces Drilon said Wednesday night that the suspect arrested by the military in Talipao, Sulu on Tuesday is not part of the group of Abu Sayyaf members who kidnapped her, two network cameramen and a peace advocate in the province last month. "The commander 'Brain Damage' is not the one we know who was part of the group that kidnapped us," Drilon said in a statement, adding that the military sent her a picture of the suspect via multi-media message on mobile phone. Police, meanwhile, said that Drilon and cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama will still be asked to identify suspects caught by authorities in Sulu when they are turned over to officials in Manila. On Tuesday, a man named Munhamer Sattari, alias "Brain Damage," and is said to be a member of the Talipao town-based Abu Sayyaf Group under the late Commander Mujib Susukan, was apprehended by members of the Marine MBLT-4 in Barangay Kandang. Amilbahar Amilasan, presidential assistant on the peace process, said Sattari has a pending arrest warrant for four counts of frustrated murder. Amilasan said the suspect has been brought to the 3rd Marine Brigade headquarters. Col. Eugenio Clemen of the 3rd Brigade, however, was unable to confirm the report. He said he was in Zamboanga City Wednesday. On July 18, two other suspected kidnappers of Drilon, her crew and peace advocate Octavio Dinampo were arrested at a Marine checkpoint in Patikul town.

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Southeast Asia

Another suspect in Drilon kidnapping snagged

2008-07-25

Another suspect in the kidnapping of a television news crew was arrested by the military in Sulu, a military spokesman said Thursday. The suspect was identified as Abu Sayyaf member Munhamer Sattari alias Brain Damage, who was collared in Kandang village, Maimbung town, at 5:35 p.m. last Tuesday, said Lieutenant Colonel Edgard Arevalo of the Navy. No details are available as of posting time. Sattair is the third suspect to be captured in a week. Last Friday, authorities arrested two others, including a 14-year-old boy in Timpook village, Patikul town. On June 8, ABS-CBN news anchor Ces Drilon, her cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama, and their guide, Mindanao State University (MSU) professor Octavio Dinampo, were seized in Sulu by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits. Valderama was freed on June 12, while the rest was released on June 17. Police said ransom was paid.

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Southeast Asia

Suspect in Drilon kidnap says he's just an errand boy

2008-07-22

One of the arrested suspects in the June 8 kidnapping of broadcast journalist Ces Drilon and three others, including Mindanao State University Professor Octavio Dinampo, said he was only an errand boy of the group that abducted the news team and the professor in Sulu last June. The suspect, identified by authorities as 18-year old Nadzmir Amirul, said that when the kidnappers arrived at their place in the village of Timpook in Patikul, he and another companion were hired to watch over the victims. Aside from serving as guard, Amirul, also known as Abu Kudama, according to the military, cooked and fetched water for the kidnappers and the victims. He said when ransom was paid, he got P50,000 as payment for his services. When asked why the wallet of ABS-CBN cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion was recovered from him during his arrest on Friday, Amirul said it was given to him. Amirul said Encarnacion had asked him to look for his wallet, which was taken by the other abductors, so he could get back his identification cards. He said Encarnacion offered that he could keep the wallet after the cameraman got his ID cards. Amirul said the group of Abu Sayyaf Commander Amlon got about P18 million in ransom. He said the money was put in two bags and was divided among the members of the group. Amirul said he did not know exactly how much the others got as share. Asked about the participation of Indanan town Mayor Alvarez Isnaji in the kidnapping, Amirul said: "This is my first time to hear that name. I do not know him." Isnaji served as chief negotiator for the victim's release. But the mayor and his son Haider were later arrested for allegedly being behind the kidnapping. Dinampo, in an earlier interview, said he was sure the men who held them were members of the Abu Sayyaf group led by Radulan Sahiron. Amirul said he and some of his companions were considered part of the outer group of the Abu Sayyaf, and not that of the inner group led by Radulan Sahiron. "We are the bad guys," he said in the vernacular. Col. Eugene Clemen, commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade, described Amirul as "very cooperative and is telling the truth." "I am convinced by what he says. Honestly, I myself believe that what he is saying is true," Clemen said. But Rear Admiral Emilio Marayag Jr., commander of the Naval Forces South, said the Abu Kudama he knew had long been arrested. "Abu Kudama is in Manila to face charges in court, apart from this, I have nothing more. Military Intelligence Group 9 arrested him last year," he said referring to Teteng Mandangan. "As far as I know, there is (only) one Abu Kudama, unless there's another one." Mandangan was arrested by Marine soldiers in Bongao, Tawi-tawi, on Nov. 21, 2007, and was among those allegedly involved in the Dos Palmas kidnapping. "As far as I know, there is (only) one Abu Kudama, unless there's another one," Marayag said. Major General Benjamin Dolorfino, Marine commandant, said they were positive about Kudama's identity because he was one of those caught in a video secretly taken by the ABS-CBN team. "His arrest will provide a lot of information that would lead to the solution of the case and give justice to the victims," Dolorfino said.

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Southeast Asia

2 Sayyaf Kidnappers Nabbed In Southern Philippines

2008-07-22

Two Abu Sayyaf members linked to the kidnapping of a Philippine television presenter and three others had been arrested in the southern province of Sulu, police said. Police said the duo was intercepted at a government checkpoint near a marine base in the village of Buhanginan in Patikul town on Saturday. The two, both teenagers, were positively identified by the authorities as involved in the June 8 kidnapping of Ces Drilon and her cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama, including their guide Prof. Octavio Dinampo. The four were freed weeks later after private negotiators paid P20 million ransom. One of the two suspects was identified as Nadzmir Amirul. They were on a motorcycle when stopped at the checkpoint.

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Southeast Asia

Suspect in ABS-CBN crew kidnapping nabbed in Sulu

2008-07-19

An alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (AGS) and a possible suspect in the kidnapping of an ABS-CBN news team last month was arrested in Sulu Friday. A certain Abu Kudama, an alleged ASG member, was reportedly arrested by the military in Sulu. Abu Kudama was allegedly part of the group that kidnapped ABS-CBN senior correspondent Ces Oreña-Drilon, cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama, and Mindanao State University (MSU) professor Octavio Dinampo last June. Allegedly in his possession when nabbed was a wallet owned by Encarnacion. He was reportedly also seen in the video secretly taken by Encarnacion while in captivity. The suspect is currently undergoing questioning by Task Force "Ces" at the 3rd Marine Brigade in Sulu.

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Southeast Asia

Mayor's son pushed for Ces Drilon kidnap, says guide

2008-07-03

The son of the mayor of Indanan, Sulu, encouraged the kidnapping of an ABS-CBN news team and said it would prove profitable, according to the team's guide who has turned state witness. Juamil 'Maming' Biyaw made the claim in a statement he submitted to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at Camp Crame national police headquarters, a copy of which was obtained by the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net). 'Go ahead with that plan because it's a good plan and we can make money from it,' Biyaw quoted Haider 'Jun' Isnaji, son of Mayor Alvarez Isnaji, as saying. Biyaw also confirmed that the ABS-CBN team--composed of reporter Ces Drilon and cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama--had traveled to Sulu province to interview Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron. Drilon and her crew, along with Mindanao State University Prof. Octavio Dinampo, were kidnapped in Indanan on June 8 by armed men believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf. Valderama was released on June 12 and the rest on June 17, purportedly after payment of ransom. The Isnajis served as negotiators along with Sulu Vice Gov. Lady Anne Sahidulla. The CIDG has filed kidnapping-for-ransom charges against the Isnajis. Father and son, now detained in Camp Crame, have denied the charges. Reached for comment Tuesday on the phone, Drilon said: 'Biyaw should be charged. If he knew that a crime was going to be committed, he could have warned us. But he did nothing.' Philippine National Police Director General Avelino Razon told reporters on Monday that Biyaw would serve as state witness in the case against the Isnajis. On the phone with the Inquirer in Zamboanga City, Professor Dinampo was incredulous. 'How could Biyaw become a state witness when he was among those behind our kidnapping?' Dinampo said. 'If the authorities will take him in as state witness, there is something wrong with our judicial system.' The Isnajis' lawyer also expressed surprise at Biyaw's statement. 'We are surprised,' Jose Aspiras told the Inquirer on the phone. 'The mayor cannot recall having met Biyaw until Tuesday (Monday).' Aspiras also said Biyaw had made a first statement. 'We think there are discrepancies [between the first and second statements]. We are studying all the issues for our counteraffidavit,' the lawyer said.

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Southeast Asia

Marines nab Abu bandit in Sulu

2008-06-27

The Philippine Marines on Thursday arrested a bandit suspected of being part of a group that kidnapped an ABS-CBN news team and a Mindanao peace advocate in Sulu early this month. Col. Eugenio Clemen, commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade, identified the suspect as Jul Akram Hadjail. He was apprehended in Jolo town. Clemen said Hadjail is a member of the Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bandit group and carries a P150,000-bounty on his head. He said the bandit is facing multiple murder and frustrated murder cases. The arrested Abu Sayyaf members is suspected of playing a role in the kidnapping of ABS-CBN senior correspondent Ces Drilon and her cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama, Clemen said. The news crew was with Professor Octavio Dinampo of the Mindanao State University when abducted by Abu Sayyaf bandits in Indanan town on June 8. Valderama was released four days after the abduction. Drilon and the others were released on June 17. Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban, commander of the military's Joint Task Force Comet, on Wednesday announced the discovery of three bodies of suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits. The bodies were found in a forested village of Patikul town, where military forces are tracking down the kidnappers of the news team. Sabban said the bandits in Patikul might be the ones who kidnapped the news team.

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Southeast Asia

Catholic bishops oppose military offensive vs Abu Sayyaf

2008-06-22

Catholic bishops on Thursday expressed opposition against the all-out offensive launched against the Abu Sayyaf after the release of a television news team and a Mindanao professor. At the sidelines of the 12th Asia Pacific Policy Forum held at the Australian Embassy in Makati City, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo - president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) - said a military offensive against the bandits will only worsen the conflict in Mindanao. Lagdameo said instead of pursuing a military solution, the government should advocate a “non-violence principle" in dealing with problems in the region. “We would not agree with that strategy which is all-out-war. What we should be sponsoring is (an) active non-violence principle which is actually based on respect for life and respect for the other person and even converting one’s enemy into friends," Lagdameo said. Earlier, the military said it has started its offensive operations in Sulu in pursuit of the abductors of Cecilia Victoria “Ces" Oreña-Drilon, her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, driver Angelo Valderama and Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo last June 8. For his part, Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma said the government should look deeper into what prompted the perpetrators to conduct the kidnapping, saying political and economic reasons may be the root causes of the incident. Ledesma noted that the Bishops-Ulama Conference has been working for a peaceful solution to the Mindanao conflict through peaceful inter-religious dialogue for the past years to send a strong message that “religious leaders are against violence." "We would like to hear this with our faith If there is any conflict, it maybe because of the political and economic situation," said Ledesma, a known peace advocate in Mindanao. Ledesma said bishops are worried that a massive military offensive against the Abu Sayyaf would, like in the past, harm civilians including women and children. “All-out-war must not mean indiscriminate violence on everyone on the other side because there are a lot of innocent people involved here and that what makes the situation in Mindanao difficult," explained the former CBCP vice president. Ledesma revealed that there have been instances in the past when bishops would offer to mediate during conflict situations in Mindanao including some activities involving the Abu Sayyaf but these moves were done in secret. “There are a number of religious leaders who come out to intercede or negotiate. Possibly their role is not too much publicized. In situations like this where innocent parties are involved, there would always be appeals for religious leaders to help," Ledesma said. As this developed, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the offensive operations launched by the military in Sulu will not imperil the holding of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) election in the province this coming August. "I don't think it would affect the election. Preparations are now underway for the ARMM elections," Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento told reporters in a chance interview Thursday. The commissioner said the military offensive is being made in selective areas in Sulu, and that polling precincts can be moved to safer and accessible locations particularly in areas affected by the military operations. -

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Southeast Asia

Dulmatin died in May '07, says Indon prof

2008-02-24

An Indonesian professor at the Mindanao State University in Sulu claimed Thursday that suspected terrorist Joko Pitoyo alias Dulmatin died way back in May 2007, ABS-CBN Regional Network Group reported. Professor Octavio Dinampo said he was shocked when he heard reports of the recovery of the supposed body of Dulmatin, correspondent Leila Vicente said.According to Dinampo, it was religious leader Mohammad Sulaiman who told him that the fugitive and suspect in the 2002 Bali bombings has been dead for close to a year. Based on Sulaiman's story, Dinampo said that Dulmatin died because of a gunshot wound he suffered during an encounter with the military in Sulu. Dulmatin was able to escape the encounter but was left by his companion and fellow Indonesian Umar Patek in Sulu. Dinampo said that Sulaiman himself witnessed Dulamtin's the secret burial in Indonesia. An ABS-CBN source, however, said story is not credible. According to the source, he was with Dulmatin as recently as December 2007. Meanwhile, United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney said that officials should wait for the DNA test being done on the tissue samples of the supposed cadaver of Dulmatin before statements are released regarding his death. On Wednesday, members of the Philippine Marines who penetrated the camp of the armed group tagged in the killing of Catholic priest Rey Roda in Panglima Sugala town in Tawi-tawi province were in high spirits and said they are certain that it was Dulmatin who died during an encounter on January 31. Lt. Col. Ruben Candelario, commander of the Force Recon Battalion said they are certain it was Dulmatin, one of the suspects in the Bali, Indonesia, bombings in 2002, who died in the clash. Soldiers showed pictures to ABS-CBN Regional Network Group's Queenie Casimiro of the area where Dulmatin and at least 30 supporters were holed up for no less than 25 days leading to the encounter. Lt. Pacifico Nono, a company commander of the Force Recon, said they are positive that Dulmatin was in the house raided in Sitio Lubok in Panglima Sugala. Following the 30-minute clash, the armed men withrew, the military said. They left behind the remains of a suspected Abu Sayyaf commander identified as Wahab Upao. Civilian informants disclosed later that another suspect was fatally wounded in the firefight. The soldiers added that two weeks after the clash, they recovered a blood-stained T-shirt which they suspect to be the one Dulmatin was wearing during the encounter. A day later, troops, with the help of residents, found a shallow grave where a body believed to be Dulmatin's was buried. The military, meanwhile, is validating reports that Patek was among those wounded in the encounter with government troops that also supposedly killed his compatriot Dulmatin and Abu Sayyaf leader Wahab Opao in Tawi-Tawi last month. A ranking intelligence officer said they are validating the claims of captured Abu Sayyaf rebel Alpha Moha, who also led troops to a shallow grave containing the supposed remains of Dulmatin. Moha said Dulmatin was initially injured during the encounter with government troops in Panglima Sugala. In that encounter, Opao, who carries a P2-million bounty for his capture, was killed. The official said there were reports that during the encounter, Patek was with the group of Opao. “We are now verifying reports from our civilian contacts that aside from Dulmatin, Patek was also critically wounded in the fighting,” the official said. He said the reports indicated Patek was also wounded during the encounter with special forces in the area. Moha had admitted participating in that encounter and recalled seeing Dulmatin seriously wounded and being dragged to safety by the Abu Sayyaf rebels retreating from the firefight.

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Southeast Asia

More Rebels Helping Abu Sayyaf, Military Says

2007-04-13

Zamboanga City, 13 April (AKI) - Military forces pursuing the al-Qaeda linked Abu Sayyaf group in the jungles of the Muslim-dominated Filipino town of Sulu, are blaming local Muslim groups of helping the terrorists. In an interview with Adnkronos International (AKI), Army Colonel Antonio Supnet said they received reports that point to a faction within the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) – a former Muslim rebel group, which signed a peace deal with Manila in 1996 - as the group supporting the Abu Sayyaf. "We have reports that a certain MNLF Commander is coddling this group," Colonel Supnet, who leads the Army’s 104th Brigade in Sulu, told AKI. He added that this group has helped the Abu Sayyaf in their areas and supplied them with food. He said there are even instances where “this group is hiding the rebels in the MNLF peace zone community, and the military cannot enter." Colonel Supnet said that "this" MNLF Commander, which he refused to name, is identified as a relative of the new leader of the Abu Sayyaf, Radullan Sahiron. "We learned that this group is even joining Abu Sayyaf in the actual combat fight," he said. Sahiron was once an MNLF leader before he joined the Abu Sayyaf decades back. Professor Octavio Dinampo, an expert on the Sulu rebellion and himself a former MNLF member, said it is rather normal that Sahiron is gaining supports among the locals. "He knows how to deal with them. He had a good leadership style even when he was an MNLF member before," he said. Supnet is nonetheless optimistic that the military can defeat the Abu Sayyaf in the province. “We have established connections with the people in Patikul and Indanan and they are giving us reports of the presence of these lawless groups,” he said. A military operation has been going on since last August in the towns of Patikul and Indanan. Members of Abu Sayyaf are reported to be hiding in the jungles of close to these towns. The Filipino armed forces in Manila said some 7,000 troops are being deployed in the province in their fight against terrorism. In an encounter last Wednesday, Supnet said two Filipino soldiers were killed and another 10 were reportedly wounded. “We received reports of more casualties from the Abu Sayyaf group,” he told AKI.

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