3 suspected Abu Sayyaf members killed in AFP air strike

MANILA, Philippines - The military reported yesterday that three suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf were killed during an air strike in Indanan, Sulu.

Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command spokesman Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang said Air Force OV-10 bombers dropped bombs at about 6:30 a.m. at the camp of Abu Sayyaf leader Umbra Jumdail.

“The target area is reportedly the harboring site of Abu Sayyaf leader Umbra Jumdail alias Dr. Abu,” Cabangbang said.

Ground troops conducted mopping up operations at the Abu Sayyaf camp at barangay Karawan in Indanan and they recovered two M16 rifles, an M14 rifle, an Amscor cal. 45 pistol, personal belongings of the bandits, assorted military uniforms, civilian bags, and sacks.

Cabangbang said the soldiers later found three unidentified bodies clad in military uniforms near the target area.

The military is still verifying if the three fatalities are Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Jumdail is believed to be coddling foreign terrorists in his camp.

The military said Jumdail has been implicated in various bombings and kidnap for ransom operations. Last year, Jumdail’s younger brother Gafur and two other bandits were killed during an encounter with policemen in Maimbung, Sulu.

Gafur was identified as one of the kidnappers of ABS-CBN anchor Ces Drilon and cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama in 2008.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has claimed that the strength of the Abu Sayyaf has declined to 379 as of June due to the government’s armed operations and development programs.

Military records showed that from January 2000 to June 2011, some 46 Abu Sayyaf leaders and sub-leaders were either killed or arrested.

Officials said the offensive military operations reduced the strength of the Abu Sayyaf from 1,270 in 2000 to only 379 for the first semester of 2011.

Among the terrorists that have been neutralized since 2000 were former Abu Sayyaf leader Khadaffy Janjalani, who had a P10-million reward for his capture.

Abu Sayyaf leaders who had been neutralized with a P5-million reward for their capture included Nadzmie Sabtula, Aldam Tilao alias Abu Sabaya, Mujib Susukan, Galib Andang alias Commander Robot, and Jainal Antel Sali alias Abu Solaiman, Tuatin Anahalul, Usman Asari y Salappudin, and Ustadz Wahab.

Cabangbang said the air strike was conducted following intelligence reports of the presence of the Abu Sayyaf bandits in the area.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. clarified that pursuit operations will continue against lawless elements even as the government announced that the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would resume soon.

“Even if the peace talks resume, our law enforcement operations against lawless and criminal elements will continue and will even intensify,” Burgos said in a phone interview.

“These law enforcement operations conducted by the PNP (Philippine National Police) and the military are not directed against them (MILF) but the lawless elements,” he added.

Burgos explained that MILF members who coddle the lawless elements would become legitimate targets of these operations.

He said the pursuit operations would also run after MILF personalities with pending criminal charges.

“Those who violated the law should be made accountable. The ceasefire will not cover lawless elements and criminals,” he said.  – With Roel Pareño