Military uncovers Abu Sayyaf assassination plot

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The military has uncovered a plot by the Islamist group Abu Sayyaf to assassinate ranking Filipino military and police officials.

Intelligence sources disclosed that the mission was uncovered following the admission made by captured Abu Sayyaf leader Adjid Moro during tactical interrogation.

Moro, alias Abu Pakistan and Wahid Mali, is said to be the supply officer of the bandit group who carried a P1-million bounty for his arrest.

Moro was captured on Jan.15 and still undergoing tactical interrogation at an undisclosed safehouse in Barangay Sta. Maria here, the source said.

The source told The STAR that Moro was sent on a mission to build up intelligence on ranking military and police officials targetted for assassination.

Moro’s admission indicated that the Abu Sayyaf is sending its death squads in the city, the source said.

Moro was sent three months after the spate of bombings that rocked the city last October that killed an American Green Beret soldier and eleven Filipino civilians while wounding 201 others.

So far, the military and police authorities have captured two of the bandit terror squads that include Mor and Merang Abante, who also carried a P1-million reward.