THE Southern Command has denied that it issued Monday a report, claiming that the military has killed Abu Sayyaf chief Khadaffy Janjalani in an air strike last month in the town of Datu Piang, Maguindanao. Col. Jerry Jalandoni, chief of the Army's 604th Brigade, reportedly claimed they have information that Janjalani was hit and got killed when MG520 helicopters struck the Abu lair, at Butilen marsh of the town, last November 19, with rockets. The area was situated near the stronghold of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). But Southcom chief Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza said the report did not come from Southern Command. He has vowed to investigate and check the veracity of the report. Jalandoni said the attack was made while Janjalani and other Abu leaders were meeting with members of the Southeast Asian regional terrorist network, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). Janjalani's remains was taken by the MILF rebels from the 104th and 109th Guerilla Base Command operating in the Central Mindanao and were later brought to Barangay Pamalian in the town of Mamasapo, the military official said. However, Jalandoni clarified that the report is still unconfirmed as the military does not have the body of the Abu leader.
"We are conducting massive search in the area. We have to produce Janjalani's body. We cannot confirm his death because we do not have his body. Jalandoni said he is certain that Janjalani was in Butilen marsh during the attack. He urged the MILF to help government forces in tracking down criminal elements and terrorists who operate in their area, noting that a joint communiqué with government obliges them to do such. | So, is it a unconfirmed report that he was killed, or a unconfirmed release of a unconfirmed report of his unconfirmed death? |
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