Posted on 06/25/2002 11:46:26 PM PDT by HAL9000
Macapagal calls off search for Sabaya body
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday ordered troops to 'call-off' the search for Abu Sabaya's body, saying they should concentrate on the manhunt for Abu Sayyaf leaders who are still alive.
"The 50 thousand-peso reward is there for the fishermen to look for him and if the Navy seals of the US will be made available, then let's have a smaller unit of ours so it's not all being done by the Americans alone," Ms Macapagal said in a speech aired over the state-owned Radyo ng Bayan. "But I think the bulk of our forces there should also not be finding a dead leader but the four remaining live leaders," she also said.
The military has been searching for Sabaya's body for the sixth straight day.
Troops hit Sabaya before he fell overboard during an encounter in the waters of Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, early Friday morning. Military officials have categorically said the Abu Sayyaf spokesman was killed in that encounter.
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