The Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf has about 300 fighters, maintains links with foreign militants but has been saddled by infighting among its leaders, a recently captured senior rebel commander has told Philippine military interrogators. Abu Sayyaf leaders wanted by Philippine and U.S. authorities, including chieftain Khaddafy Janjalani, also have moved from jungle camps on southern Jolo island because of fears of other rebels that their presence might invite U.S. military assault, according to a report, seen by The Associated Press on Sunday, from the interrogation of Abu Sayyaf suspect Galib Andang. Andang, 37, also known as Commander Robot, gave insights into the inner workings of the brutal, al-Qaida-linked group, but evaded questions on his alleged role in terrorist activities and has denied charges of high-profile kidnappings, the report said.
Andang told military interrogators that the 300-strong Abu Sayyaf force on Jolo, a predominantly Muslim island about 940 kilometres south of Manila, is led by Jumdail Gumbahali, who uses the name Dr. Abu and who is armed with M-16 rifles and M-203 grenade launchers.
| Wasn't this in Terry and the Pirates in about 1947? Is there a Dragon Lady involved? |
Andang said Janjalani and two other Abu Sayyaf leaders wanted by the United States -- Isnilon Hapilon and Abu Sulaiman -- came to Jolo with two foreigners who spoke several languages, including English, Indonesian and Japanese, and offered to train Filipino rebel recruits in "demolition’’ tactics, the report said. It wasn’t clear when the alleged visit occurred. But Andang claimed the foreigners and Janjalani left the island after Gumbahali declined their offer, fearing their presence would ignite fighting with U.S.-trained government troops. The Jolo-based "ASG (Abu Sayyaf group) members fear that the presence of Janjalani ... will mean U.S. armed forces military operations,’’ similar to what happened on neighboring Basilan two years ago, the report quoted Andang as saying. Andang was referring to southern Basilan province, where U.S. troops were deployed to train and arm Filipino troops in a non-combat assistance credited with crippling the main Abu Sayyaf faction led by Janjalani. Three hostages, including an Indonesian sailor, who escaped from the Abu Sayyaf, told the military last year that they saw two Indonesian men train about 100 Filipino recruits in combat, weapons and explosives starting in December 2002.
| That'd be the JI involvement, I'll betcha... |
Andang also revealed infighting among the guerrillas, saying the Jolo-based Abu Sayyaf faction did not recognize Janjalani’s leadership. Another rebel commander also wanted by Washington, Hamsiraji Sali, broke off from Janjalani’s group over disagreements over ransom money, the military report quoted Andang as saying. |