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| Southeast Asia |
| Filippinos continuing the hunt JI, Abu Sayyaf |
| 2005-08-23 |
| The military has intensified its operations to determine and locate the presence of Jemaah Islamiya (JI) terrorists and continue pursuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Mindanao. Brigadier General Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, Philippine Marines 2nd Brigade commanding officer told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro yesterday the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division, is continuing its operations in Maguindanao against the group of Abu Sayyaf headed by Khadaffy Janjalani, Isnilon Hapilon and Jainal Sali. General Dolorfino is chairman of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP)-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel Joint Monitoring Action Center (JMAC). The military operations in Guindolongan and Talayan, South Upi, which started since July 1, this year resulted in the killing of Omar Patik and a certain Uztadz Idris both suspected ASG members, Dolorfino said. Meanwhile the military has a list of 31 suspected JI terrorist reportedly in Mindanao to conduct bombings in major cities, Dolorfino said. The Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division spokesman Alexis Bravo, confirmed National Security Adviser Secretary Norberto Gonzales' statement that "there is an effort (by the JI) to acquire materials and position its personnel in Mindanao." "The JI members, some suspected to be in Mindanao, dressed like ordinary Filipino muslims, are roaming and gathering information at the same time acquiring explosives" Bravo revealed. Meanwhile, the GRP-MILF panels and the AdHoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), through the Joint Monitoring Assistance Center (JMAC) and the Bantay Ceasefire are coordinating with the military to facilitate operations in order to prevent further misencounters between government troops and 400 members of the MILF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces in Maguindanao, particularly in MILF Camp Bader. Markers made of bamboo poles with flags were established at the perimeter of MILF Camp Bader to prevent misencounters between the MILF and the military. The groups are also assisting 1,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Guindolongan and Talayan who are affected by the on-going military operations. MILF spokesman Mohaqer Iqbal said the IDPs can return to their places of origin as soon as the military operation is terminated to stop the practice of being dependent on "dole-outs". In Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Iligan City and Lanao del Norte, the military and police have heightened alert in its checkpoint operations amid threats of bombings and the presence of terrorist members. Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano tightened security measures at City Hall as intelligence reports show that the said building is one of the targets of the planned bombings. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |