Robot may be transferred

Military doctors recommended yesterday the transfer of captured Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot, from the V. Luna military hospital to the Camp Aguinaldo station hospital, both in Quezon City.

"He no longer needs critical medical care," said Col. Rafael Regino, Armed Forces surgeon general.

Andang, whose right leg might also be cut off, has reportedly been diagnosed to be suffering from blood poisoning.

Regino said they are trying to evaluate the prognosis on Andang’s right leg since it became infected.

"This is indicative of an infection and if not checked, it could poison his blood," he said. "We are trying to save the right leg."

Military spokesman Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero said Andang would be more secured at Camp Aguinaldo.

Andang, who led an Abu Sayyaf band in snatching 21 mostly European tourists from the Sipadan island resort off Sabah on Easter Sunday in 2000, was captured during an encounter with troops in Indanan, Sulu last Dec. 7.

Military doctors have earlier cut off his left leg because of gangrene. – Jaime Laude