Abu commander with $1-M bounty slips past AFP offensive

ZAMBOANGA CITY — An Abu Sayyaf commander who escaped a military dragnet in Central Mindanao last week again evaded troops scouring for terrorists in a small island off Zamboanga City.

Isnilon Hapilon, wanted by the US government for the kidnapping of Americans, was spotted by military intelligence in Sacol island, 1.5 nautical miles east of here after naval commandos invaded and sealed the 100-kilometer-long island on Monday.

A naval intelligence agent and two terrorists were killed, while three government agents were wounded in the fighting.

Followers of Hapilon, who carries a $1-million bounty from the US government, blocked advancing naval commandos to allow their leader to escape.

Armed Forces Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan said troops raided Sacol island to capture Hapilon, who had slipped through a military dragnet in Central Mindanao, along with the band of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khaddafi Janjalani.

Commandos from the Naval Forces-Western Mindanao clashed with about 20 to 30 followers of Hapilon who is believed to be still in the island hiding in the surrounding mangroves, he added.

Adan said Hapilon, whose personal belongings were seized by troops in Sacol island, was planning a wave of kidnappings in Mindanao after the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

However, the identities of the target kidnap victims could not be ascertained, he added.

Adan said Hapilon arrived in Sacol the last week of September and sought refuge in the island known as a jump-off point and an ideal ground for hiding terrorists because of its vast mangrove areas.

"The presence of Hapilon and plot to kidnap could be a diversionary attempt or it could be to support his operation to generate logistical funds," he said.

On the other hand, Commodore Rufino Lopez Jr., Naval Forces Western Mindanao chief, said Navy speedboats are sealing off the island to prevent Hapilon and his band from escaping.

Hapilon is one of the three remaining Abu Sayyaf leaders wanted by the US government for the kidnapping and murder of American nationals.

The US government has offered a $5-million reward for the capture of Hapilon, Janjalani and Jainal Antel Sali Jr. alias Abu Solaiman, who are accused of snatching and killing Americans during a kidnapping spree by the Abu Sayyaf in 2000 and 2001. — Roel Pareño