Abu bomber nabbed in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Marines captured an Abu Sayyaf terrorist linked to the foiled bombing of Jolo airport last Nov. 15.

Col. Eugenio Clemen, 3rd Marine Brigade commander, said Almid Jundam was nabbed while about to withdraw money from a bank in Barangay Walled City in Jolo, Sulu.

“Initial inquest revealed that he is responsible for setting up an improvised explosive device in Sulu’s airport extension last Nov. 15, 2008, which was detonated by Explosive Ordnance Detachment Team of this Unit,” he said.

Clemen said Marines pounced on Jundam after receiving information from residents that their quarry was in the area.

Marines recovered from the suspect a wig and a camouflage uniform inside his belt bag, he added.

Jundam, a follower of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Gafur Jumdail, was the third Abu Sayyaf terrorist to fall this month.

Last Nov. 5, Marines captured Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Sakirin Andalan Sali alias Kirih-Kirih, who carries a P2-million bounty on his head.

Faidar Hadjadi alias Abu Solomon, who has a P300,000 reward for his capture, was killed in a shootout with troops at a checkpoint on Nov. 14.

At Malacañang, President Arroyo ordered yesterday bounties to be put on the heads of gang leaders responsible for a spate of kidnappings in Mindanao.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Mrs. Arroyo has noted a rise in kidnappings in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and in some parts of Zamboanga City in recent months,

“The President is determined to put a stop to these incidents and contain and neutralize the perpetrators at all costs,” he said.

The kidnappers were usually gunmen from the Abu Sayyaf or rogue members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, he added.

Since June, more than 10 people, including a television crew, have been kidnapped in Mindanao, with most released after payment of ransom.

The Abu Sayyaf, as well as other armed groups, operate in these areas. – Roel Pareño, Jaime Laude