Military raid disrupts JI operations in Mindanao

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  — The military believes the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) operation in Mindanao was disrupted when Marines raided an Abu Sayyaf hideout in an island near Jolo on Sunday.

Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino said the JI cell operating in Laminusa island could have used its strategic location as a jump-off point for its operation in Mindanao.

“The group of Abu Benhur could be a JI cell and the operation Sunday aimed to get Marwan,” he said.

The military raid targeted Abu Sayyaf commander Abu Benhur alias Boy Tondo, who was reportedly coddling Malaysian Zulkipli Bin Hir alias Marwan, JI bomb expert, whom the military believes took part in the 2002 terrorist bombings in Bali, Indonesia.

Dolorfino said the 11 Abu Sayyaf terrorists captured during the raid have been taken to Jolo for tactical interrogation.

“Interrogation has been ongoing on the 11 captured to determine other charges that can be filed against them,” he said.

Marwan was not sighted during the raid, but there were persistent reports that he was with Benhur, who eluded the raiders, Dolorfino said.

Brig. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, the anti-terror Task Force Comet commander, said troops are tracking down more than 20 other terrorists who escaped with Benhur.

“Intelligence is building up its surveillance on the possible location of the group,” he said.                — Roel Pareño