AFP unfazed by new Abu leader

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is unfazed by reports that Khair Mundos, a Filipino militant believed to have links with international funding donors, has become a leader of an Abu Sayyaf faction.

AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said the Abu Sayyaf is expected to pick new leaders to replace those slain in previous encounters.

“We are not alarmed by such reports. The leaders just come and go. That happens if a leader dies and naturally, the group will have to find someone to replace him,” he said.

Burgos also gave assurance that military pursuit operations against the terrorist group are ongoing.

“We have seen that we are stepping up our drive against them (Abu Sayyaf) and we are always adopting a proactive stance,” he said.

A report by the Associated Press quoted a military report as saying that Mundos has assumed the top post in a key faction of the Abu Sayyaf.

The report said Mundos, who carries a $500,000 bounty offered by the United States, has links with funding donors from countries like Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

The Islamic militant was captured in 2004 but managed to escape from his cell in 2007. Mundos was believed to have facilitated the transfer of funds from global terror group al-Qaeda to the Abu Sayyaf to carry out attacks.

Burgos said they have yet to verify the report but admitted that they are not discounting the possibility that the naming of Mundos as an Abu Sayyaf leader would allow the militant group to raise more funds.  

“There is that possibility but we are always prepared. We will try to maintain the momentum. We already had gains and lately, many of their (Abu Sayyaf) leaders fell in encounters,” he said.

Rear Admiral Alexander Pama, head of anti-terror Task Force Trillium and the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, said troops continue to track Mundos, who is training militants in the jungle of Sumisip, Basilan.

Pama said the training was disrupted last week when Marines and Scout Rangers overran the militants’ camp in Barangay Baiwas where several bombs and training materials for bomb-making were recovered. At least six militants were killed and 12 others were wounded during the operation.

Pama believes that last Saturday’s abduction of Examinda Cristobal Lindio, a canteen manager and wife of a public school teacher, in Lamitan City could be a diversionary tactic on the part of the Abu Sayyaf.

The kidnappers, led by Commander Usi and Pula Muntong, have reportedly demanded P2-million ransom.

The AFP has said that it is bracing for retaliatory attacks by the Abu Sayyaf after some of its key members were either slain or arrested by security forces in separate operations.

Last February, the military reported that it killed six Abu Sayyaf members, including senior leader Albader Parad, in an encounter in Maimbung, Sulu.

Parad was tagged in some high-profile crimes, including the kidnapping of Red Cross workers Marie Jean Lacaba, Italian national Eugenio Vagni, and Swiss national Andreas Notter last year.

In the same month, security forces captured suspected Abu Sayyaf member Jumadail Arad, said to be the speedboat operator when Protestant missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham were kidnapped in Palawan in May 2001.

Security forces also arrested early this month Abdulrahman Samuel, Joher Ibrahim, and Mujahid Ibrahim at Maharlika Village in Taguig City, foiling a supposed attempt to stage bombings in Metro Manila. 

The suspects, who are facing murder and robbery charges, reportedly belonged to a terror cell led by Abdul Basit Usman, believed to have links with the Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf.

The military is also validating reports that Furuji Indama, an Abu Sayyaf leader tagged in a series of abductions in Mindanao, was wounded in a firefight with state troops in Basilan early this month.

Burgos said the military’s latest tally showed that the Abu Sayyaf has around 400 remaining members.   – Alexis Romero, Roel Pareño