Posted on 09/11/2006 11:18:24 PM PDT by Roy Tucker
Edited on 09/12/2006 12:03:02 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Cotabato City, 11 Sept. (AKI) - One of two top Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) members hiding in the southern Philippines province of Sulu, was reportedly killed by Filipino security forces, a spokesperson for the Muslim rebel groups in the south told Adnkronos International (AKI) on Monday. Eid Kabalu, spokesperson of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said that their forces in the town of Jolo, some 590 miles south of Manila, have received information that one of two JI militants was killed in last week's offensive by the Philippine Army and Marines in the nearby town of Patikul.
"We have dispatched troops there to look for the remains of the terrorist. It was last week. Although it was not just clear, we are helping the government in confirming it," Kabalu told AKI without naming the slain JI militant.
The MILF, which is currently in peace talks with Manila, has formed an Adhoc Joint Action Group with Manila, to run after terrorists and lawless elements in Southern Philippines.
The two Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists are Umar Patek and Dulmatin.
Patek is believed to have served as the assistant for the field coordinator of the Bali bombings that killed 202 people in 2002. Dulmatin, an electronics specialist with training in al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan, is a senior figure of JI.
Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban, who is leading the pursuit operations against foreign terrorists and Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu, was quoted by the Philippine Star as saying “that they are confirming the reports that Omar Patek died from the wounds he suffered.”
Sabban said Patek was wounded when his men attacked a lair of Abu Sayyaf in the outskirts of Luba Hill in the village of Tugas, on September 4.
The attack was part of a military wide offensive against Abu Sayyaf and JI, which started on July 31. The aim of the attack is to get Dulmatin, Patek and Abu Sayyaf leaders Khadaffy Janjalani, Isnilon Hapilon and Abu Sulaiman either dead or alive.
JI is a terrorist organization fighting to unite most of Southeast Asia in a caliphate while the Abu Sayyaf is an homegrown radical Islamic groups, considered by most to be a group of bandits. Both organizations are on the European Union and US lists of terrorist groups.
The US government has put a 10 million dollar reward for Dulmatin and 1 million dollar reward for Patek.
Matthew Lussenhop, spokesperson of United States Embassy in Manila, told AKI his government's bounty for the arrest of the two JI militants remains.
The 10 million dollar reward offered for Dulmatin is the second highest award offered under the American Rewards for Justice Program, exceeded only by the 25 million dollar award offered for Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
(Fsc/Jma/Aki)
I think you say " Long live the Philippines ( Mabuhey ).... but, sure on that.
True. Name a problem, the Philippines has it.
I think President Bush said 5,000 the other day in his 9/11 speech, but I don't have the reference.
My wife is from the Philippines. I'm no expert, but I can answer a couple things...
Mabuhay means more like "welcome".
I'm not sure how you'd say "make my day, punk" in Filipino (Tagalog) or in Visayan / Cebuano (used more in Central / Southern Philippines). English is the official language of Gov't and business & they love our movies: Maybe you'd just hear "Clint Eastwood" with a Filipino accent!
The Philippines was actually in very good shape after we helped them rebuild after WWII. In fact, for a while there, they were the #1 economy in SE Asia, I believe. But, after we gave control back, that got torn down by corruption everywhere, and a culture of dependency on outside help. Sometimes you run into a bit of the "We are a victim" baloney, but I think most Filipinos realize most of their problems are self-generated -- they just can't seem to summon the willpower to exorcise corruption from the culture. (A true "culture of corruption", much like some other Hispanic societies. It's also a great example of why we here in the U.S. have to stomp that sort of crap out before it gets too far. Even when it seems small. Ya' hear that, Bubba? Ya hear that, DUmmies?)
That said, most Filipinos / Filipinas are good, decent people. No, my wife isn't making me say that!
VERY excellent program (Air Emergency) last night on National Geographic Channel (?) about the 1994 bombing of a PAL (Philippine Air Lines) 747 by the same guy behind the 1993 WTC bombing. Even includes a slightly flirty (to the bomber) Filipina flight attendant (my wife cracked up at that - subtle comic relief in a serious show.) But those flight attendants did a great job & the flight crew too: Despite serious damage they got the plane landed with only one death -- a young Japanese engineer who was sitting right over the (liquid) bomb. Kudos to the young doorman at the apt. building in Manila where the terrorists were staying, too: A good example of how an ordinary citizen can make a huge difference by being alert (twice in one incident.)
RP (Republic of the Philippines) has some natural gas. Not too much in the way of oil.
It is mabuhay :) My wife is fluent in Tagalog. I am not yet, but I keep working on it.
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