Sayyaf warns media, owns slay of critic

SUMISIP, Basilan - Abu Sayyaf spokesman Asmad Alahuddin admitted responsibility yesterday for the assassination of a media critic in Zamboanga City two years ago, as he warned newsmen against severe criticism of the extremist group.

He said that Abu Sayyaf killed broadcaster Rey Bangcayrin on March 30, 1998 inside a station booth of radio dxLL in Zamboanga City "because of his strong criticisms about our group."

Bangcayrin was shot in the head with a .45 caliber pistol by a lone gunman. His assassination has remained unresolved.

Alahuddin warned newsmen covering Western Mindanao to go easy on Abu Sayyaf issues and be a little moderate.

In a related development, intelligence agents are tracking down the rebel hit squad, some of whom have already identified, behind last Monday's near fatal ambush of a staunch critic of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Cotabato City.

Maj. Julieto Ando, civil-military relations chief of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, said the MILF rebels who ambushed radio commentator Zamzamin Ampatuan were relatives of Jack Abdullah, alias Commander Putao.

Ampatuan was wounded in the attack while one of his security men was killed. Four others were wounded in the ensuing gun battle and are now recuperating in a Cotabato City hospital.

Killed was Army Cpl. Arturo Maraya, and those wounded were Cpl. Renante Bichosa, Pfc. Simpal Adam, and militamen Sindatu Ampatuan and Mokamad Lumenda.

One of the ambushers, a certain Kagui Jed, was killed by Ampatuan's bodyguards in the ensuing gun battle. Responding Marines from a nearby detachment helped Ampatuan's security men in repelling the ambushers.

Ampatuan, a scion of an influential Muslim clan, hosts a radio program that has been critical of MILF's armed struggle for an independent Muslim state.

An MILF official, however, said his organization is not behind the assassination attempt on Ampatuan.

Muhaquer Icbal, MILF information officer, said the suspects could have been hired by a third party.

"It's very obvious he (Ampatuan) speaks for the government. Therefore, if something happens to him, the MILF can easily be blamed and made a whipping boy again," Icbal said.