Posted on 06/11/2002 10:44:47 AM PDT by HAL9000
AND NOW there are only nine.The number of Abu Sayyaf bandits, who guarded Martin and Gracia Burnham and Ediborah Yap in Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte, has dropped to less than 10 following the capture of an alleged bodyguard of Abu Sabaya, Abu Sayyaf’s spokesperson.
Basir Ordoñez was captured in Barangay Culasian, a half kilometer from the site of Friday’s encounter that resulted in the deaths of hostages Martin Burnham and Ediborah Yap, police announced Tuesday.
Senior Supt. Leonardo Espina, national police spokesperson, said elements of the 6th Scout Rangers Company arrested Ordoñez Tuesday morning.
No firearm was recovered from Ordoñez, according to Espina.
Marcelino Lipana, Zamboanga del Norte provincial director, told reporters in Dipolog City that the wounded Ordoñez was limping when soldiers caught up with him.
“He is now under treatment,’’ Lipana said.
The military had earlier announced that four bandits were killed in the firefight between Sabaya’s group and the Scout Rangers.
Gracia Burnham told US officials after her rescue that there were only 14 Abu Sayyaf members who guarded her, her husband Martin and Yap in the jungles of Sirawai town.
“She said that when they were kidnapped (on May 27, 2001), there were around 100 Abu Sayyaf members. Then there were 30, and then 60, and then 40, and then 20. (In the last operation), they were down to just 14,’’ US Embassy spokesperson Frank Jenista said Monday.
Maj. Gen. Ernesto Carolina, Southern Command chief, said the Abu Sayyaf had been reduced from a peak of 1,200 fighters to just 242. The group’s strongholds are the islands of Basilan and Jolo.
The military is turning to dogs to locate the nine Abu Sayyaf bandits, including Sabaya, in Sirawai.
“To help track down the location of the bandit remnants in the vast jungles of Sirawai where they are scattered, several K-9 (units) are being employed by the troops,” said retired Maj. Gen. Melchor Rosales, spokesperson for the ongoing operations.
He also announced the deployment of the Special Warfare Group (WSAG) to a second theater of operations in Sulu Tuesday.
“Additional troops arrived in Jolo today, the latest batch of troops to be deployed that will see action in the search and destroy operations against the Abu Sayyaf,’’ Rosales said.
He said “riverine troops of the Army's Special Forces and the SWAG elements of the Navy are continuously patrolling the waters in the areas of operation.’’
To make the military operation easier, Zamboanga del Norte education officials announced that they would put off the opening of classes in Sirawai and Sibuco towns.
Superintendent Shariff Adzhar Sarahadil said classes would be held only after the situation in the two towns normalized.
“It’s definite, no classes will be held until the military in the area assures the safety of pupils and teachers,’’ he told the INQUIRER.
Local officials had expressed apprehension that the bandits would seize new hostages.
President Macapagal-Arroyo is not giving the soldiers hunting down Abu Sayyaf bandits a deadline.
“Right now we must ensure that Abu Sayyaf members do not escape. That’s the most important thing to do.’’ Ms Macapagal said before flying to Basilan.
The President said the government would be unrelenting in its efforts to put a stop to the bandit group’s activities.
Ms Macapagal reiterated that the US government helped in the planning of the operation that resulted in the rescue of Gracia Burnham.
“I expressed our appreciation for this specific operation in Sirawai. Our American friends assisted in the joint planning,” the President said.
About 1,000 US Green Berets, pilots, support staff and military engineers are staying until July 31 on Basilan, Zamboanga City and Cebu on a six-month mission to train and advise Filipino troops fighting the Abu Sayyaf.
In New York, US Secretary of State Colin Powell described as “courageous” Filipino soldiers fighting terrorist groups with global links.
“I am proud that American forces are helping to train and equip their Philippine Army counterparts to combat groups like the Abu Sayyaf,” Powell said Monday in a speech to American and Asian diplomats and Asian community leaders at a dinner organized by the New York-based Asia Society.
Until last week’s rescue attempt, the Abu Sayyaf had held hostage the Burnhams and Yap for about a year.
“Vicious groups like Abu Sayyaf stop at nothing and no one,” Powell said.
“Tragically, despite the best efforts of the government of the Philippines to secure a safe release of the hostages, Martin Burnham and Ms Yap died in the firefight that followed and Gracia Burnham was wounded,” Powell said.
Gracia Burnham returned to her home in Kansas on Monday. The body of Martin Burnham, who was 42, had been flown to a US military base in Japan. A memorial service for him was scheduled for Friday in Wichita, Kansas.
“The murderous example of Abu Sayyaf shows how right President Bush has been to lead the global campaign against all terrorists, all forms of terrorism, not just al-Qaeda,” Powell said.
Powell also praised several East Asian nations for helping in the US-led war against terrorism.
He said the United States remained committed to bolstering Asian security and stability by maintaining its military presence in the Pacific region.
With a report from Martin P. Marfil
©2002 www.inq7.net all rights reserved
Gracia Burnham specifically asked about Sabaya when she was rescued. I hope the Filipinos and *whomever else* is there takes this guy out, but you know he's running fast to save his hide.
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