Bandit chief confirms links to JI

The Straits Times ^ | 12/08/03 | Luz Baguioro

[TexKat]

MANILA - President Gloria Arroyo said yesterday the Philippines had struck a heavy blow against terrorists in the region with the arrest of 'Commander Robot', a leader of the Abu Sayyaf group.

He led a band of kidnappers who raided resorts in Malaysia's Sipadan island in April 2000, seizing 21 hostages.

'Relentless pressure is taking its toll and we will keep it up until all the terrorists are accounted for and they no longer pose a threat,' she said.

'Commander Robot', whose real name is Galib Andang, was captured late on Sunday after a gunbattle in southern Jolo island.

Wounded in both legs, he was taken yesterday to a military hospital in Manila where he will undergo surgery.

Armed forces chief General Narciso Abaya told a news conference that the extremist leader was stable, but may lose his legs.

Both Washington and Manila have branded the Abu Sayyaf a terrorist group and the United States had offered a US$5-million (S$8.6-million) reward for information leading to the arrest of Andang and four other Abu Sayyaf leaders.

The group, based in the southern Philippines, is notorious for its kidnappings and bomb attacks against foreigners and Christians.

Several of their victims had been beheaded.

Officials said Andang had confirmed to his interrogators suspected links between his group and the Jemaah Islamiah network.

Gen Abaya said that troops would now intensify their hunt for three remaining Abu Sayyaf leaders.

Andang, 36, faces death for his role in kidnapping the Sipadan tourists, who were freed after months in captivity, reportedly in exchange for millions of dollars in ransom.

In 2001, his men kidnapped three Americans and 17 Filipinos. One of the Americans was beheaded and another died during a military operation that helped rescue the third.

The kidnappings prompted the US to send more than 1,000 soldiers for a counter-terrorism exercise in the Philippines.

[samtheman]

G - L - O - R - I - A

Gloria!

[Indie]

is notorious for its kidnappings and bomb attacks against foreigners and Christians. Several of their victims had been beheaded.

Funny how the leftist main stream media omits the last two relevant points. Propaganda is about lies of ommission as well as comission. They only tell us what they want us to know.

[Steel Wolf]

'Commander Robot', whose real name is Galib Andang, was captured late on Sunday after a gunbattle in southern Jolo island.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

Commander Robot, by the way, is a name this guy took for himself because he likes Robocop. He often pretends to be a robot, and imagined that he was bulletproof.

Machine living may well be in his future. With two gunshot wounds in the legs, he may well be on his way to needing a wheelchair to get him around. Good riddance to bad terrorist rubbish.

WOO HOO!! (Yes, I have a lot of emotional investment in this. I'm glad they finally got him. You're next, Janjalani)

[Steel Wolf]

Commander Robot, aka Abu Ohmylegs, captured by the AFP. I guess since he'll be in the hospital for a while he won't be able to walk out like Al Ghozi.

[TexKat]

Filipino Muslim rebel leader Galib Andang, also known as Commander Robot, lies on a stretcher upon arrival at a military base in Manila December 8, 2003. Andang, captured leader of the Islamic Abu Sayyaf militants was flown to the Philippine capital giving President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo badly needed boost in a pre-election drive to appear tough on crime. (Reny Pampolina/Reuters)

A captured leader of al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf extremist group Galib Andang, alias Commander Robot, grimaces in pain as Filipino military doctors try to remove bullets from both his legs Monday Dec. 8, 2003 inside the Philippine Air Force base in Zamboanga City, southern Philippines. Andang was wounded in both legs during a gunfight with soldiers Sunday in Indanan town on southern Jolo island. He is suspected in a series of ransom kidnappings, including the abduction of Western tourists from a Malaysian resort three years ago . (AP Photo/STR)

Senior leader of the Abu Sayyaf Islamic militant group Ghalib Andang, known as Commander Robot, rides a government ambulance after attending a meeting with a Philippine government negotiator in Patikul town in the outskirts of Jolo in southern Philippines in this May 23, 2000 file photo. The Philippine military said on December 7, 2003 Andang was captured by soldiers in the southern Philippines after being wounded in a firefight. The Abu Sayyaf militant group is believed to be responsible for the kidnapping of 20 people from a Malaysian resort three years ago. Photo by Erik De Castro/Reuters

[TexKat]

Captured Abu Sayyaf leader Galib Andang, also known as Commander Robot, is attended by military doctors inside the Station Hospital of the Philippine Military at suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila Monday Dec. 8, 2003. Commander Robot, the leader of a faction of the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf extremist group and suspected in a series of ransom kidnappings, including the abduction of Western tourists from a Malaysian resort three years ago, was wounded in both legs and captured following an encounter in southern Philippine island of Jolo late Sunday. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf extremist leader, Galib Andang, also known as Commander Robot, is carried by military medics as he arrives at a military airbase in suburban Manila on Monday Dec. 8, 2003. Andang was wounded in both legs during a gunfight with soldiers Sunday in Indanan town on southern Jolo island. He is suspected in a series of ransom kidnappings, including the abduction of Western tourists from a Malaysian resort three years ago (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

[TexKat]

Ping

[Indie]

He has an IV. That's too bad. Why would they waste pain meds on this maggot. A 50 caliber black powder slug in the forehead would do quite efficiently.

[MEG33]

Real bad guy..sorry to see him smiling.Glad he's disabled for now.

[diamondjoe]

Terrorists in the Philippines are pure scum, but with a group called MILF, and a guy named Commander Robot, they at least bring some entertainment once in a while.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Good news!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MANILA - President Gloria Arroyo said yesterday the Philippines had struck a heavy blow against terrorists in the region with the arrest of 'Commander Robot', a leader of the Abu Sayyaf group.

He led a band of kidnappers who raided resorts in Malaysia's Sipadan island in April 2000, seizing 21 hostages.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bad day for jihadist-terrorists (and Democrats).

Ping for our tough Philippine ally (and unfavorite of the mainstream press), President Gloria Arroyo.

[TexKat]

What I don't understand is why someone has to nurse these satan minions back to health. They just need to be put out of their misery.

[ridesthemiles]

Real bad guy..sorry to see him smiling.Glad he's disabled for now.

For Now are the important words.
His mouth still works, and he can stir up plenty more trouble. I like the 50 caliber solution, myself. :)

[TexKat]

My sentiments exactly. Why waste good bandages on him, just shoot the third leg, and leave him to the gangrene so he can feel what it is like to be terrorized.

[blackie]

Bad day for jihadist-terrorists (and Democrats) ~ Bump!

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[windchime]

Arroyo has been a steadfast ally in the war on terror. Tough lady!

[windchime]

You should be in charge of all captured terrorists.

[MinuteGal]

President Gloria Arroyo stated, "Relentless pressure is taking its toll and we will keep it up until all the terrorists are accounted for and they no longer pose a threat".

But...but...does she have an exit strategy?

Leni