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| Southeast Asia |
| Janjalani and Commander Robot next on Abu Sayyaf list... |
| 2002-06-23 |
| Maj. Gen. Ernesto Carolina, chief of the Southern Command, said the military was now targeting Abu Sayyaf chief Khadaffy Janjalani and another senior leader, Ghalib Andang, known as Commander Robot. Robot led the abduction of 21 people, including Western tourists, from the Malaysian resort of Sipadan in April 2000. All but one were released in exchange for large ransoms. "The marching orders of the President is get the others. The priorities are Janjalani and Robot," Carolina said. He said "Operation Daybreak," which targets the remaining Abu Sayyaf leaders, includes rescuing three Indonesian crew members of a tugboat seized last Monday by gunmen believed to be Abu Sayyaf rebels and taken to Jolo Island where Robot operates. Just a reminder that there's still more work to be done. "Commander Robot" was hooked up with Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Soddies' pet gang, back in January, but they seem to have backed off in their support, at least overtly. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |