US solon visits GIs in Basilan

An American legislator arrived in Basilan yesterday and inspected US soldiers training local troops on how to better fight the Abu Sayyaf.

California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, chairman of the US House committee on foreign affairs, met with the commander of the US troops, Brig. Gen. Donald Wurster, and flew to Tabiawan in the Basilan capital of Isabela City, where the troops are stationed.

Rohrabacher sought the rescue of American couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and Filipino nurse Deborah Yap, even as he defended the $5-million bounty offered by the US government for information leading to the arrest of the Abu Sayyaf bandits holding the Burnhams and Yap hostage.

"I will be satisfied and the American people would be satisfied that both hostages, these American citizens are released and the terrorists are brought to justice," Rohrabacher said upon his arrival in Basilan.

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said Rohrabacher was assessing the on-going "Balikatan 02-1" joint military exercises.

The American legislator added that accomplishing the mission to rescue the Burnhams and Yap does not necessarily mean that American forces have to tale the lead role as he dismissed calls for the direct participation of American soldiers in the ongoing rescue operations.

The American troops participating in the Balikatan exercises have lent their Filipino counterparts high-tech equipment, such as spy planes and satellite communications facilities to help Filipino soldiers track down the bandits and their hostages.

The American legislator also dismissed allegations that the bounty offered by the US government for information leading to the arrest of the bandits is an insult to the Philippine government and military. "Filipino troops are very capable," Rohrabacher said, "I am happy that we are working with together on this project. I don’t see any reason why they (groups critical of the bounty) are upset when we are trying to get our citizens back by offering a reward and I’m sure that (if) Filipino citizens (were) kidnapped in the US or somewhere else (the Philippine government) would (use) the same tactic for the (hostages’) return or bring the kidnappers to justice."

Rohrabacher added that "this is not the time to nit-pick. We should be encouraging each other and try to help each other because terrorists are killing Filipinos too. Terrorists are killing Americans and terrorists are killing Filipinos. Terrorists are killing anyone who wants a democratic society throughout the world and (this) is the time we should stand together."

Col. Francisco Gudani, deputy chief of operation of the military’s Southern Command, said Rohrabacher was also there to inspect the roads being built by US military engineers.

Basilan Gov. Wahab Akbar said the roads and bridges being built by the engineers will greatly help the impoverished island’s economy. The government largely blames the rise of the Abu Sayyaf on poverty.

"They helped not only Basilan but the country as a whole," Akbar told reporters. "We now have an ally is the American troops. We don’t feel neglected anymore and we want them to continue their stay as possible."

Golez said Rohrabacher is also expected to get an update on the American missionary couple, Martin and Gracia Burnham, being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf for more than a year now.

The bandits are also holding a third hostage, Filipina nurse Deborah Yap, who entered her second year in captivity today.

Meanwhile, in Dipolog City, President Arroyo announced that the military has launched an offensive against the Abu Sayyaf in four towns in the province.

Mrs. Arroyo, who attended a peace and order council meeting in Dipolog, said the bandits have lairs in the towns of Baliguian, Sibuco, Siocon and Siraway. She gave no other details.

Last week Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Sabaya said they would release Yap for allegedly converting to Islam but did not say when. He said Yap would released in exchange for livelihood projects for Muslims.

Aside from training Philippine troops, the US military is also helping in the massing manhunt for the Abu Sayyaf, using sophisticated satellite surveillance and spy planes. So far, the bandits have managed to elude pursuing government troops.

The US involvement in the war against the Abu Sayyaf is part of Washington’s worldwide war against terrorism, launched after the September 11 terrorist attacks last year.

US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone said US troops will leave as scheduled when the joint exercises end in July whether or not the Burnhams are rescued.

Last week, Washington offered a cash reward of up to $5 million for information that would lead to the capture of five top Abu Sayyaf commanders, including Sabaya. Others in the most wanted list are Khadafy Janjalani, Hamsiraji Sali, Isnilon Hapilon and Abu Solaiman.

The US Embassy reportedly received dozens of phone calls offering information the Abu Sayyaf but only few were said to be promising. — With Jose Rodel Clapano, Sandy Araneta