3rd JI leader hiding with Sayyaf in Sulu?

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Three — not two — Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorists have sought refuge with the Abu Sayyaf in the jungles of Sulu, reports said yesterday.

The military is verifying the identity of the third terrorist, who is known only as "Mauwiyah," an Indonesian.

It is not certain whether Mauwiyah and Jandala are the same person who is reportedly working with Dulmatin and Umar Patek, the key suspects in the 2002 bombing in Bali, Indonesia that killed more than 200 tourists, mostly Australian and Europeans.

The military came to knew of Mauwiyah’s presence in Sulu after troops clashed with an Abu Sayyaf band led by Umbra Jumdail, alias Dr. Abu Pula, in Barangay Kandulan in Parang town,where two terrorists were killed on Sept. 7.

Jumdail was given the moniker Dr. Abu Pula because he is a paramedic.

Troops also seized bomb materials and personal belongings, including 14 backpacks believed to be owned by Abu and Mauwiyah, military reports said.

However, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief Maj. Gen. Eugenio Cedo said they have no reports about JI terrorists being sheltered by the Abu Sayyaf.

Cedo said Army troops and Marines have been pursuing the terrorists, among them Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffi Janjalani, Dulmatin, Patek and the Abu Sayyaf commanders in Sulu.

Police and military intelligence reports said about 30 JI terrorists have slipped into the country, and some are working with the Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao. — Roel Pareño