Robot’s right leg catches infection

Top Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot, is now in danger of losing both legs after his right developed an infection, a military doctor said yesterday.

Andang was severely wounded in both legs early last month after shooting it out with elite troops that raided his hideout in Sulu and captured him.

His left leg was amputated after military doctors found gangrene had set in.

The infection in Andang’s right leg may have been caused by visitors, Col. Rafael Regino, the military’s surgeon general, said.

Andang was put in isolation to prevent further infection. One of his families — he has four wives — came to visit but were barred from seeing him, Regino said, adding that doctors are doing everything they can to save Andang’s remaining leg.

Meanwhile, the stump of his left leg, which was amputated below the knee, is well on its way to recovery.

"We have already removed the stitches," Regino said.

Although already pronounced out of danger, Andang’s condition is constantly monitored. It was reported earlier that Andang could be having liver problems.

He is now on a hard diet that is low in salt and protein and high on carbohydrates, Regino said.

The military plans to interrogate Andang upon his recovery. Authorities are keen on information that could lead them to his cohorts as well as regional terror group Jemaah Islamiyah.

The United States is interested in any information about Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda terrorist network.

President Arroyo has vowed to crush the remnants of the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah following Andang’s capture.

The Abu Sayyaf is notorious for kidnappings and beheading hostages as well as bombings for more than a decade.

Andang is suspected of involvement in the April 2000 kidnapping of 21 people, about half of them Western tourists, from the Malaysian resort of Sipadan.

The hostages were released after months in captivity, reportedly in exchange for millions of dollars in ransom paid by Libya.

A year later, the bandits kidnapped three Americans and 17 Filipinos. One of the Americans, Guillermo Sobero, was beheaded and another, Martin Burnham, died during a military operation that led to the rescue of Burnham’s wife Gracia.

The Abu Sayyaf kidnapping spree prompted the United States to send more than 1,000 soldiers for a counter-terrorism exercise aimed at helping the Philippine military crush the Abu Sayyaf.

Several hundred US soldiers have been training Filipino troops in Mindanao since early 2002.

The government offered a P5-million reward for information that would lead to his capture. Washington likewise offered a $1-million bounty on his head.

The US counter-terrorism training has been credited with breaking up the group and dislodging it from its base on Basilan island. Many key leaders and members have since been arrested or killed. — Jaime Laude