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| Southeast Asia |
| MILF leader with Abu Sayyaf links captured |
| 2004-05-20 |
| A ranking leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), who was also an alleged supporter of the Abu Sayyaf terror group, and a cohort were captured at a military checkpoint in Barangay Talon-Talon here on Wednesday, the authorities said Thursday. Maj. Gen. Trifonio Salazar, commander of the Army's 1st Infantry Division, identified the suspects as Usman Lidjal, purported head of the MILF's 3rd Base Brigade who had a 450,000-peso price on his head, and Alimuddin Adala, alias Uttuh. Other reports said another accomplice was able to escape. Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Information Office chief Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero said Lidjal was believed to have provided safe haven and support in the form of guns, ammunition and food to Abu Sayyaf guerrillas who had kidnapped 17 Filipinos and three Americans from the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan in May 2001. Lidjal was also believed to have helped wounded Abu Sayyaf members at the height of the Lamitan, Basilan, siege of June 2001 where the bandit group, dragging the Dos Palmas hostages with them, was surrounded by Filipino soldiers but managed to escape. Salazar said Lidjal "maintains regular contact with the Abu Sayyaf group, especially with Kadaffy Janjalani," its leader. Salazar said Lidjal was also tagged as the mastermind of the June 2000 kidnapping in Zamboanga City of two Belgian nationals and a British citizen. The three were reportedly released after ransom was paid. Reports from Camp Emilio in Malagutay, Zamboanga City, said Lidjal had a standing warrant of arrest for three counts of murder issued by Basilan Regional Trial Court Presiding Judge Danilo Bucoy in 2000. He was also facing another case of kidnapping and serious illegal detention in a warrant issued by Zamboanga Regional Trial Court Judge Tibang Asaali in 1998. Lidjal and Adala were reportedly spotted on Don Lorenzo Street in this city by an informant who contacted operatives of Task Force Zamboanga and the intelligence unit of the 1st Infantry Division (Tabak). Lidjal and Adala were arrested as they tried to sneak past a military checkpoint in Barangay Talon-Talon on board a passenger jeepney bound for Barangay Arena Blanco, Zamboanga City. The two suspects were turned over to the proper authorities for the filing of the appropriate charges against them. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #2 Great spellin' huh? |
| Posted by: RTFM 2004-05-20 6:08:12 PM |
| #1 Hmmmmm...M.I.L.F. M'fers I'd Like To Frag |
| Posted by: RTFM 2004-05-20 6:05:16 PM |