Sayyaf leader wounded

ZAMBOANGA CITY — An Abu Sayyaf top commander, who is one of the four leaders wanted by the US government for the kidnapping and murder of two American citizens, has been wounded during a military offensive against the bandits in Basilan, military official confirmed yesterday.

Brig. Gen. Bonifacio Ramos, 103rd Army Brigade commander based in Basilan, said Hamsiraji Sali, alias Commander Jose Ramirez, has been reported wounded in their operation since last week.

"Based on our intelligence, Sali is one of the bandits who was hit. But we could not determine if he was seriously injured because they can manage to still evade our troops," Ramos said.

Sali, who remained hiding with the Abu Sayyaf remnants in Basilan, is tagged as one of the four remaining wanted Abu Sayyaf leaders by the US government, each carrying a $1-million bounty.

The other leaders, including Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffi Janjalani, slipped to Sultan Kudarat. Meanwhile, Isnilon Hapilon and Abu Solaiman were believed to be hiding in Sulu.

The military renewed the offensive after they monitored the bandits have intensified their extortion activity and abducted last Friday five villagers who were relatives of captured Abu Sayyaf member Omar Opik Lasal.

Lasal, who escaped along with another Abu Sayyaf and Indonesian confessed Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) bomber Fathur Rohman Al-Ghozi, was captured October in Dimataling, Zamboanga del Sur. — Roel Pareño