AFP warns of terror attacks in South after Ramadan

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Military authorities here disclosed a possible terror attack by the bandit group Abu Sayyaf in Basilan at the end of the month-long Ramadan on Friday.

The Office of Muslim Affairs in Manila also issued warnings on the possible terrorist attack or sabotage by terror groups.

Reports from Basilan disclosed that residents in outlying island villages in Isabela City have moved out from their homes since last week because of the presence of suspected Abu Sayyaf guerrillas.

Col. Bonifacio Ramos, Army 103rd Brigade commander, said island villagers from Baluk-baluk were forced to yield their motorized bancas to the Abu Sayyaf before proceeding to Basilan mainland.

Ramos said the bandits were apparently consolidating their depleting forces by forcing some villagers to join them. Women were reportedly being tasked by the Abu Sayyaf to conduct the recruitment.

The main force of the Abu Sayyaf was last spotted in the villages of Lumbang and Kapayawan of Isabela City, scouting the movements of government forces in the area who are pursuing them.

The bandits were led by Commander Hasiraji Sali, alias Jose Ramirez, and subcommanders Mauran Ampul, Kalaw Jaljalis and Abdullah Ajaredden.

Thirty bandits led by Sali have consolidated their remaining forces and took their hostage, Jekerson Jaure, in Sitio Kapiguihan, Barangay Lumbang.

Jaure, a civilian, was later freed by the bandits after determining that he was not a military spy as they earlier suspected, the military said.

Ramos stressed that the possibility of a terror attack by Abu Sayyaf in Basilan is an effort by the extremists to further strain relations between Muslims and Christians.

"They (Abu Sayyaf) tend to hatch the atrocity but we are more prepared against their sinister plot as we will not anymore search for them in the mountains if they will go down to hatch their evil work," Bonifacio said.

Armed Forces Southern Command spokesman Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero said they would now consider Abu Sayyaf or any Islamic group which will carry out any terrorist attack after Ramadan as "un-Islamic."