US freezes assets of 3 Abu leaders

The United States froze the assets yesterday of three top commanders of the Abu Sayyaf, which the Americans had linked to the al-Qaeda international terrorist network of Osama bin Laden.

The US Treasury Department declared frozen any assets held by Jainal Antel Sali Jr., Radulan Sahiron and Isnilon Totoni Hapilon under US jurisdiction, and barred US citizens from making transactions with them.

"The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) instills terror throughout Southeast Asia through kidnappings, bombings and brutal killings," said Patrick O’Brien, the US Treasury’s assistant secretary for terrorist financing and financial crime.

"This action financially isolates senior members of the ASG, who have planned and carried out vicious attacks on Americans, Filipinos and innocent citizens from around the world," he said.

The United States and Australia are submitting the three men’s names to the United Nations to consider adding them to a list of people linked to al-Qaeda and its leader, Bin Laden.

The United States has offered to pay up to $90,910 for the capture of people belonging to Abu Sayyaf, including Sali.

The US Defense Department has also offered up to $200,000 for information leading to the capture of any one of the three men.

The Abu Sayyaf is behind a spate of high-profile kidnappings of foreigners since 2000 and members are wanted for the deaths of two American hostages.

The US government has offered a $5-million reward for the arrest of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khaddafi Janjalani, Sali and Hapilon.

Earlier, the Navy reported that Janjalani was planning to escape to Malaysia to elude a massive military manhunt in Central Mindanao.

Janjalani had intended to use a high-powered speedboat to flee to neighboring Malaysia, according to Navy Capt. Roberto Santos, Naval Task Force 6 commander.

Santos said Navy commandos had seized the speedboat, which was armed with a heavy machine gun, before Janjalani could make his escape.

Janjalani’s escape plan was interrupted by the military’s relentless offensive on the ground, air and sea, he added.

Santos said upon receiving the intelligence reports Navy intelligence immediately intensified monitoring of areas where Janjalani is believed to be receiving support. — AFP