November 23, 2000, Sun Star Zamboanga, 'Robot,' Susukan part ways, by Bong Garcia,

November 23, 2000, Sun Star Zamboanga, 'Robot,' Susukan part ways, by Bong Garcia, 

Abu Sayyaf "field Marshal" Ghalib "Robot Andang and "provincial commander" Mujib Susukan, who are known to be partners, split themselves in a bid to continue eluding the pursuing military troops in the hinterlands of the island province of Sulu, the military reported here yesterday. 

Andang and Susukan had spearheaded the abduction of 21 people, 19 of whom are foreigners, last April 23 in Sipadan island dive resort in Sabah, Malaysia and brought the victims to the hinterlands of Sulu. The victims were freed by batches following payment of millions of pesos ransom. 

Military intelligence reports disclosed Andang and Susukan have divided their group into two factions to elude the government forces who have been chasing them for nine weeks now since the offensive was launched last Sept. 16 aimed to crash the bandits and rescue the two remaining hostages. 

The report said Andang has remained in the forested mountain of Talipao town with less than a hundred followers while Susukan was sighted in the hinterlands of Patikul municipality. However, it was not clear who among them is holding hostage Roland Ullah, the last Sipadan hostages in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf. 

Meanwhile, Southern Command spokesman, Col. Hilario Atendido said the Joint Task Force Trident has not slowed down the offensive against the Abu Sayyaf, a self styled Islamic fighter here in the south. Atendido said there are still over 4,000 soldiers that are still scouring the jungle of the province to neutralize the Abu Sayyaf bandits. 

Atendido said the pursuing trooper has clashed Monday against 20 armed bandits in the hinterlands of Maimbung and Talipao towns leaving four dead Abu Sayyaf and a soldier wounded. He said the first firefight took place around 10:10 a.m. between the troopers of the 77th Infantry Battalion and 10 Abu Sayyaf while patrolling Barangay Poblacion, Talipao.

Two Abu sayyaf followers were monitored to have wounded following a 15- minute firefight. A soldier was also injured. Atendido said the bandits fled towards northeast direction dragging along with them their wounded comrades. Bloodstains were founded in their withdrawal path. 

Around 12:10 p.m. elements of the 55th IB clashed with another 10 members of the Abu Sayyaf in the hinterlands of Maimbung. No one was reported injured on the government side while undetermined Abu Sayyaf followers were wounded during the 10-minute firefight. "Bloodstains were found along the withdrawal route, but we can not determine yet if they were badly wounded," Atendido said. 

The government forces has recovered from the scene of the firefight a jungle pack containing camouflage uniform, foodstuffs, medicines, three kilos of rice, sugar, two reams of cigarette, a flashlight, cassette recorder and playing cards abandoned by the fleeing bandits.