Taking its fight against terrorism one step further, the United States is offering a cash reward of up to $5 million for information that would lead to the arrest of the top five Abu Sayyaf leaders.
They were identified as Amir Khadafi Abubakar Janjalani, alias Jimar Manalad, Khadafi Montanio and Abu Muktar; Aldam Tilao, alias Abu Sabaya and Abu Ahmad Salayuddin; Hamsiraji Sali, alias Sitti Birkis, Jose Ramirez and Tibirkis; Jainal Antel Sali Jr., alias Abu Solaiman and Abu Solayman; and Isnilon Totoni Hapilon, alias Abu Musab and Abu Tuan.
The US Embassy yesterday handed out flyers featuring photos of the five.
The reward is open to anyone around the world who may provide information that would lead to the arrest or conviction of the five, US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone told a press conference yesterday.
"We believe that ordinary citizens of the Philippines and elsewhere may have the information that can help bring the Abu Sayyaf terrorists to justice," he said.
Ricciardone said information on anyone committing acts of terrorism against US citizens or property may also be given to the embassy.
Individuals who believe they have the information can contact the US Embassy at these toll-free numbers: 1-800-10-739-2737 (Manila) and 1-800-877-3927 (US). Informants may also dial these numbers on their mobile phones: 02-526-9832, 02-526-9833 and 02-526-9834.
All information would be kept strictly confidential, Ricciardone said. Tipsters who could give useful information to the authorities may also be provided assistance in moving out of their own countries and living elsewhere, embassy officials said.
Ricciardone said the size of the reward would be decided by a US committee.
This is the first time that the US government has put a bounty – under a program called Rewards for Justice System in the Philippines – against a local terrorist group.
Ricciardone said the $5-million bounty is under a program called Rewards for Justice, run by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security.
So far, 23 people have received rewards under the program, according to acting US Embassy press attaché Frank Jenista. "So far, the largest reward to a single individual is $2 million," he said.
"The Rewards for Justice program has already saved many lives, prevented acts of terrorism and resulted in the conviction of terrorists in several countries," Ricciardone said.
Once, a concerned citizen from an Asian country provided information about a terrorist plan to bomb a major airport, Jenista said.
"Because of this action by one person, the attack was prevented and many innocent lives were spared," he said. He refused to identify the caller or give details of the foiled plot.
In another case, a tipster was responsible for the capture and conviction of Ramzi Yousef, who was responsible for the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York.
In 1995, Philippine security forces foiled a plot by Yousef to allegedly assassinate Pope John Paul II and simultaneously bomb a dozen American airliners. He was arrested in Pakistan in 1996.
Jenista denies the bounty has anything to do with the Philippine military’s failure to rescue two American hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf, American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham. The bandits are also holding a third hostage, Filipina nurse Deborah Yap.
"It is definitely not the case. This reward has been in effect for a number of years in a number of countries. This is reinforcing and complimenting the Philippine government’s program," Jenista said.
The Philippine government has also offered a cash reward of P5 million for the capture of each top Abu Sayyaf leader.
"It’s more a matter of trying to bring in as many weapons to bear as we can," Jenista said.
About 1,000 US troops are currently in Basilan training Filipino forces on how to better fight the Abu Sayyaf, and expanding military infrastructure in enemy territory. The US military has also used satellite surveillance and spy planes to help local troops track down the elusive bandits.
Despite fears among some that the offer may encourage people with information to bypass local authorities, military officers fighting the Abu Sayyaf welcomed it.
"This is big money," said Col. Alexander Aleo, an Army commander in Basilan. "Any effort which will contribute to the resolution of this crisis, as long as this does not involve the payment of ransom, is good."
Military spokesman Lt. Col. Fredesvindo Covarrubias said the military will accept information even from members of the Abu Sayyaf – but as long as it leads to the capture of their leaders.
National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said Malacañang was consulted about the reward. "We look at that as a big boost and a big compliment to our program," he said. If captured, the five leaders would be tried in the country, he said.
Acting Press Secretary Silvestre Afable said the Abu Sayyaf has been tagged as a terrorist group by the US government, "so it’s not surprising that such an international reward is set up against them."
If US law enforcement agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation sends agents to help flush out terrorists in the country, Afable said they would have to coordinate with local authorities as they have done in the past in going after American fugitives.
"They coordinate with our law enforcement agencies, which are usually in the lead in these investigations. They (the Americans) play just a supportive role," Afable explained.
The US government in the past has offered up to $25 million for the capture of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, to whom the Abu Sayyaf had been linked. — With reports from Roel Pareño, Paolo Romero, Marichu Villanueva, AFP