January 9, 2006, The Philippine Star, "US troops scare off Abu Sayyaf rebels in Sulu", by Roel Pareno,

January 9, 2006, The Philippine Star, "US troops scare off Abu Sayyaf rebels in Sulu", by Roel Pareno,

Zamboanga City: Abu Sayyaf terrorists are reportedly running scared and have gone into hiding in anticipation of the arrival of US Special Forces troops in Sulu.

"The arrival of the US forces sent some psychological impact on the Abu Sayyaf and probably scared them away," said Maj Gamal Hayudini, Armed Forces Southern Command information chief.

The arrival of US troops is part of the "Balikatan 2006" military exercises in Sulu, which are expected to start on the last week of this month or first week of February.

It will replicate the Balikatan in Basilan in 2002 where the Abu Sayyaf leadership was flushed out by Filipino troops backed by US technical assistance and advice.

However, the Balikatan in Sulu will focus on the development aspect to wage war against poverty.

Hayudini said since the military exercises were announced, government forces have not encountered any Abu Sayyaf band in the province.

The relentless military offensive has forced the Abu Sayyaf leadership to flee their jungle strongholds, he added.

However, Hayudini said the Abu Sayyaf might have broken up into small factions to escape the massive military manhunt.

"Perhaps they are just observing and in a wait-and-see position," he said.

The military cannot really say what the Abu Sayyaf commanders have on their minds "because these are terrorists," Hayudini said.

On the other hand, Brig-Gen Alexander Aleo, anti-terror unit Task Force Comet chief based in Sulu, said the Abu Sayyaf might have been scared of the US Special Forces troops.

The Abu Sayyaf had split into small groups and are very mobile, unlike before when they were holding out in jungle camps, he added.

Aleo said the military is also ready to face any impending threat of the Abu Sayyaf against US troops participating in the Balikatan in Sulu.

Security measures have been set up to protect Filipino and American soldiers who will conduct humanitarian missions as what was done in Basilan in 2002, he added.

Aleo, Army commander in Basilan when the Balikatan 02-1 was staged in 2002, said while the military exercise was being held the offensive against the Abu Sayyaf was ongoing.

Armed Forces chief Gen Generoso Senga has a standing order to "neutralize" the Abu Sayyaf leadership, he added.

Earlier, US Col James Linder, Joint Special Operation Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) chief, assured the military that the Balikatan in Sulu will be more of a humanitarian mission involving rehabilitation of schools, building of water wells, road rehabilitation, and the bringing of health facilities and medical mission to depressed and poor areas.

Marines and army troops have been running after the remaining three top leaders of the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.

They are Radulan Sahiron, Umbra Jumdail alias Dr Abu Pula, and the youngest leader Albader Parad, who were dislodged from their camps in Karawan complex in Indanan and Patikul towns in Sulu.

There are reports that Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khaddafi Janjalani and two of their leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Jainal Antel Sali alias Abu Solaiman have sneaked into Sulu after slipping out of Central Mindanao.

However, the military is verifying information that the elusive Janjalani has been moving around in Basilan and Sulu to escape pursuing troops.

The US government has put up a 5m dollar reward for the arrest of Janjalani and his leaders and froze the assets of the Abu Sayyaf leaders.