April 12, 2002, The Philippine Star, Military identifies Sayyaf coddlers in Basilan, by Paolo Romero,

April 12, 2002, The Philippine Star, Military identifies Sayyaf coddlers in Basilan, by Paolo Romero,

Military intelligence agents have identified suspected coddlers and supporters of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in Basilan, and have started gathering evidence to buttress criminal charges against them. This developed as President Arroyo directed Armed Forces chief Gen. Diomedio Villanueva to file charges against the coddlers, said to include members of influential families.

Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said that at present, authorities only have raw information against the suspected Abu Sayyaf coddlers. Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Generoso Senga gave assurances that moves against the suspected coddlers will be governed by laws and rules of engagement.

"They (suspects) know that we know who they are," Senga said. He warned that because of the atrocities committed by the Muslim extremist group, armed coddlers and supporters of the group would be treated as members of the Abu Sayyaf. Villanueva said influential families giving protection to the Abu Sayyaf have evaded a military crackdown, to the prejudice of ongoing operations to annihilate the group.

Capt. Noel Detoyato, spokesman for the military's Southern Command, said most of the coddlers were from Lantawan and Maluso towns in Basilan. "That's why they keep going back to those areas," he said. Detoyato said that since the Abu Sayyaf consisted mostly of Tausugs and Yakans, it was likely that tribal ties shielded the terrorists from the military offensive.

The military launched an all-out crackdown on Abu Sayyaf coddlers and protectors, resulting in the arrest of over 100 suspects, many of whom were released for lack of evidence. "You just can't finish them all off," he said. Detoyato also said efforts to build up cases against the Abu Sayyaf coddlers and protectors, including rebels from the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front, were being exerted in close coordination with the police. In a press briefing at Malacañang, Tiglao said Villanueva briefed the President on the intelligence reports pertaining to the Abu Sayyaf coddlers. "We're still waiting for more concrete information. What we could do is simply persuade these influential leaders to stop aiding the Abu Sayyaf," Tiglao said.

He said the task could be effectively handled by Basilan Gov. Wahab Akbar and the military. Tiglao also said Mrs. Arroyo directed Villanueva to continue with their probe and validate the reports so that the suspected coddlers could be haled to court. Soldiers raided on Monday the house of Tuburan Mayor Dorie Kalahal after receiving reports that Abu Sayyaf members, including the group's spokesman Aldam Tilao alias Abu Sabaya, have sought refuge there.

No arrests were made, but a gunfight erupted after one of Tilao's guards allegedly opened fire at the approaching soldiers. One of the mayor's relatives was reportedly wounded in the firefight. Kalahal denied any involvement with the Abu Sayyaf, and even threatened to sue the troops. — With Marichu Villanueva