Joint Special Operations Group (JSOG) commander Brig. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan said intelligence units are monitoring the whereabouts of Dulmatin, a member of the Indonesian-based Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), who is being protected by remnants of the group of slain Abu Sayyaf logistics officer Jainal Antel Sali Jr. alias Abu Solaiman.
Solaiman was killed by elements of the 8th Special Force Company under Lt. Almirante Mijares during an encounter in Mt. Dajo, Talipao last Jan. 16. Dulmatin was allegedly wounded in that same encounter.
"We are tracking down their location to verify the information regarding the reports that Dulmatin was among those wounded," Pabustan said.
Pabustan, whose forces include the US-trained Light Reaction Company (LRC), Army Rangers, and the Special Forces Regiment, said they are ready to deploy more troops once the location of Dulmatin is confirmed.
He said the dragnet to get Dulmatin also targets another Indonesian JI member identified as Umar Patek. Both Patek and Dulmatin are wanted for the 2002 bombings in Bali, Indonesia that killed 202 people. The US government has offered a $10 million reward for the capture of Dulmatin while a $1-million bounty was offered for Patek’s capture.
The killing of Janjalani and Solaiman was a major victory for the military after years of frustrated US-backed operations to find the Abu Sayyaf leaders.
The two have extensive contacts with foreign militants, including Indonesian and Middle Eastern financiers who provided funds and combat trainers, and their death was a major loss for the Abu Sayyaf.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said a massive military offensive would now focus on getting Dulmatin and Patek.
Meanwhile, the military warned residents being recruited by the Abu Sayyaf that they will suffer a fate similar to that of the slain leaders of the terror group.
The military said while it’s not certain about the possible rise of another breed of Abu Sayyaf, the success of the operations has brought a strong message to terrorists.
"I say much of the Abu Sayyaf have seen the result of our effort and I hope this will serve as a lesson to the new recruits if ever there are," Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo, Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief told newsmen here.
Cedo said the military has not received information regarding the new recruitment of the Abu Sayyaf as a result of the losses suffered by the group in recent encounters wherein the group’s top leaders were killed.
"The terrorists are on the run and troops have been in pursuit," Cedo said.
He said the remaining Abu Sayyaf leaders Radulan Sahiron, Umbra Jumbail alias Dr. Abu Pula, and Albader Parad, have in their command a degraded force with about a hundred armed members remaining.
Brig. Gen. Ruben Rafael, chief of Joint Task Force Comet, said the recent successful operations against the Abu Sayyaf have boosted the morale of the operating units in the offensive against the terrorist group in Sulu.
"The morale is high especially now that our sacrifices are paying off and they are still raring to go," Rafael said. - With James Mananghaya, AP