(AKI) - One of two top Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) members hiding in the southern Philippines province of Sulu, was reportedly killed by Filipino security forces, a spokesperson for the Muslim rebel groups in the south told Adnkronos International (AKI) on Monday. Eid Kabalu, spokesperson of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said that their forces in the town of Jolo, some 590 miles south of Manila, have received information that one of two JI militants was killed in last week's offensive by the Philippine Army and Marines in the nearby town of Patikul. "We have dispatched troops there to look for the remains of the terrorist. It was last week. Although it was not just clear, we are helping the government in confirming it," Kabalu told AKI without naming the slain JI militant.The MILF, which is currently in peace talks with Manila, has formed an Adhoc Joint Action Group with Manila, to run after terrorists and lawless elements in Southern Philippines. The two Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists are Umar Patek and Dulmatin. Patek is believed to have served as the assistant for the field coordinator of the Bali bombings that killed 202 people in 2002. Dulmatin, an electronics specialist with training in al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan, is a senior figure of JI.
Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban, who is leading the pursuit operations against foreign terrorists and Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu, was quoted by the Philippine Star as saying “that they are confirming the reports that Omar Patek died from the wounds he suffered.”
Sabban said Patek was wounded when his men attacked a lair of Abu Sayyaf in the outskirts of Luba Hill in the village of Tugas, on September 4. The attack was part of a military wide offensive against Abu Sayyaf and JI, which started on July 31. The aim of the attack is to get Dulmatin, Patek and Abu Sayyaf leaders Khadaffy Janjalani, Isnilon Hapilon and Abu Sulaiman either dead or alive.