JI leader believed killed in air strike

ZAMBOANGA CITY ,Philippines   — The military is verifying reports that a Malaysian Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist was among the five militants killed in an air strike launched by Philippine Air Force bombers last Sunday at an Abu Sayyaf camp in Indanan, Sulu.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Tanalgo, commander of the Sulu Island Command and the Joint Task Force Sulu, yesterday said five Abu Sayyaf members, including three sub-leaders, were confirmed killed during the bombing in Mt. Tukay, at the Kawaran complex in Indanan.

Tanalgo said Malaysian JI leader Zulkipli bin Hir, alias Marwan, could also have been killed after his aide was found dead near the Abu Sayyaf camp after the air strike conducted by the 3rd Air Force Division’s two OV-10 Bronco planes.

Tanalgo identified those killed as Abu Sayyaf leaders Ben Wagas, Apo Mike and Abu Abad, whose bodies were recovered.

He said the two others killed were Sali Madarang, said to be the right hand of Marwan, and a certain Andag.

“Madarang was the known right-hand man of Marwan and the air strike was launched after the JI leader was monitored in the area,” Tanalgo said.

“Chances are Marwan is already dead,” Tanalgo added.

The military launched air strikes at Indanan last Sunday morning using Air Force OV-10 Bronco planes.

The air raid, which started at about 6:30 a.m., was aimed at the camp of Abu Sayyaf leader Umbra Jumdail alias Dr. Abu.

About 30 to 40 bandits are said to be staying in the camp.

Jumdail has been implicated in numerous bombings and abductions, including the Sipadan kidnapping incident in 2000.

Tanalgo said they are validating reports that about 10 bandits died during the air raid.

“There are reports that Dr. Abu was wounded,” Tanalgo said.

He said the ground forces are continuing the mopping up operations to recover the bodies of other casualties, including the possible remains of Marwan.

Marwan, who has a $5-million reward for his capture, is one of the most wanted terrorists in Southeast Asia.

Marwan escaped from Malaysia and sought refuge in the Abu Sayyaf camps in Mindanao, where he trained militants on how to build improvised explosive devices.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. disclosed yesterday that the military and the police are closely coordinating efforts to prevent any retaliatory attack from the Abu Sayyaf.

“The security forces are proactive and are in constant coordination with other agencies to prevent retaliatory attacks. We did not receive such threat so far but good intelligence gathering is important,” he said.

The Armed Forces has claimed that the strength of the Abu Sayyaf has declined to 379 as of June due to the government’s armed operations and development programs. With Alexis Romero