Abu Sayyaf wracked by infighting?

The Abu Sayyaf faction in Sulu is now wracked by bitter infighting, a top aide of the terrorist group has informed the military.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Jose Mabanta said the informant, Manahan Jumadil, a disgruntled aide of Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang alias Commander Robot, surrendered to the 4th Infantry Brigade in Barangay Kulasi, Maimbung town in Sulu.

Andang and Jumadil hogged the limelight after they snatched 20 mostly foreign tourists from the posh Malaysian dive resort of Sipadan in April last year.

The victims were taken by boat to nearby Sulu where they were held hostage for several months, and released in batches following payments of huge amounts of ransom.

Meanwhile, elements of the 104th Infantry Brigade and the 26th Special Forces Company discovered over the weekend an abandoned Abu Sayyaf camp in Barangay Bunot, Indanan town in Sulu.

The camp consisted of seven bunkers which can accommodate 50 people. The troops also recovered six rolls of barbed wire, an aerial antenna, personal belongings and documents.

In another development, the Philippine National Police (PNP) remained on high alert against kidnap-for-ransom groups even as they intensified their drive against terrorists identified with Saudi-born billionaire Osama bin Laden, a prime suspect in last week’s attack on New York City and Washington DC.

Deputy Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., head of the newly created Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF), said the PNP has doubled security measures against kidnappers, especially in Mindanao where the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group operates.

Ebdane said they are also tapping the assistance of international agencies in combating kidnapping and other acts of terrorism.

Ebdane, concurrent PNP chief for administration, said Immigration Commissioner Andrea Domingo has ordered rigid monitoring of all international seaports and airports nationwide to avert the entry of members of international crime syndicates.

In a related development, President Arroyo approved the creation of an anti-terrorism committee to be headed by PNP chief Director General Leandro Mendoza and composed of members of the PNP’s intelligence group and special forces. –Paolo Romero, Christina Mendez, Jaime Laude