JI training Abus in bomb-making, sabotage - military

MANILA, Philippines - Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) is reportedly training Abu Sayyaf bandits in bomb-making and sabotage tactics in two island provinces in Mindanao, a military official said yesterday.

Lt. Col. Randolf Cabangbang, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesman, said the training might have been limited to one-on-one training as the militants are always on the run due to relentless military operations in Basilan, Sulu and mainland Mindanao.

“The intelligence-backed operations have preempted several large-scale training of the terrorists, and what we believe is that the JIs, if they are still here, can only do so much training on mere interaction,” Cabangbang said.

He said they recovered proof of the training, in the form of documents and paraphernalia, during an assault on the Abu Sayyaf camp in Barangay Upper Baiwas, Sumisip town, Basilan in late February.

Cabangbang said soldiers have been stationed in the area to prevent the militants going back to it and continuing the training.

The military official said the air strike launched by the Philippine Air Force in Parang town, Sulu last February also disrupted the training between the two terrorist factions.

Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Maj. Gen. Ceasar Ordoyo revealed the training by JI but said it would be contained due to relentless operations.

Meanwhile, Cabangbang clarified that only one foreign national has been abducted in mainland Mindanao in the past months while five others were being kept by the kidnappers in Sulu.

He said the whereabouts of Australian national Warren Richard Rodwell, abducted last December in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, has remained uncertain.

The military said there were attempts to transfer him to the custody of the Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf group but was turned down due to the heightened military offensive against the militant groups.

The military and police also confirmed reports that European bird watchers Elwold Horn, 52,of Holland, and Lorenzo Vinceguerre, 47, of Switzerland were already brought to Sulu.

The two foreigners were taken last Feb. 1 in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi while on their last day of bird-watching along with a Filipino guide, who managed to escape.

Cabangbang said police and military forces continued to pressure the abductors of Indian national Biju Kollaraveettil, 36, who was abducted on June 22, 2011 while visiting his Filipino in-laws in Barangay Timpook, Patikul town.

Police were also tracking down Hiroshima native Toshio Ito, alias Amir Katayama Mamaito, who has been in captivity for more than a year since he was taken on Aug. 16, 2011 in Pangutaran island municipality and brought to the mainland of Sulu.