Posted on 01/16/2007 7:00:58 PM PST by NormsRevenge
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP) - The Philippines military said it had killed Abu Solaiman, a senior leader with the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf extremist group who had a five-million-dollar bounty on his head.
Initial reports after a clash with troops Monday on the southern island of Jolo had suggested he was wounded and another Abu Sayyaf member slain.
But military spokesman Major Eugene Batara said the dead man "was confirmed to be Abu Solaiman" after intelligence agents examined the body.
The agents compared it to known pictures, but the military will also check the body's fingerprints just to be sure, Batara added.
The US government, which has linked the Abu Sayyaf to Al-Qaeda, had offered a reward of five million dollars for his capture, saying he had been involved in kidnappings and terror attacks.
Solaiman, whose real name is Jainal Antel Sali, has claimed responsibility for several deadly bombings and has urged attacks on Christians and government targets.
He was involved in the abduction of three US tourists and several Filipinos from a resort in 2001 which resulted in the death of two of the Americans.
Last month, the military said it had recovered human remains that could be those of Abu Sayyaf leader chief Khadaffy Janjalani, but the US government is still conducting DNA tests to determine if the body really is his.
The Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for the worst terror attacks in Philippines history, including bombings and mass kidnappings.
A small victory in a long war. But every little bit counts.
You'll know we're serious about the war on terror -- when the Government declares "open season" on terrorists -- posting their pictures in Post Offices around the country, under a sign that reads: "Wanted - Dead or Alive".....Bounty offered.
I could get re-interested in hunting again.....
Semper Fi
Good. I knew Martin Burnham. I'm sure these two are in very different places.
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