August 24, 2003, Philippine Star, Philippine military says Abu Sayyaf leader hiding in Sultan Kudarat,

August 24, 2003, Philippine Star, Philippine military says Abu Sayyaf leader hiding in Sultan Kudarat,

Zamboanga City: Abu Sayyaf leader Khadafi Janjalani, who remains in the most wanted list of terrorists by the US government, is still holding out in the mountains of Sultan Kudarat, a senior military official said yesterday.

Brig-Gen Alexander Yano, 601st Army Brigade commander, said Janjalani and 70 of his armed men are still hiding in the hinterlands near Palimbang town.

"He is still hiding and has not slipped out of Palimbang since he arrived with his followers. Janjalani and his group are evading military combat," Yano said.

He said Janjalani has been constantly moving using local contacts as guides to escape military operations.

Yano refused to speculate if some guerrillas of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are giving sanctuary to Janjalani and his men, who reportedly arrived in the area some time in July.

Intelligence reports disclosed Janjalani's group is reportedly trying to link up with Indonesian fugitive Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi who is also reportedly hiding in nearby Maguindanao.

The military, however, said it has no information that Al-Ghozi is trying to get into Sultan Kudarat. [Passage omitted]

The US has put a 5m-dollar reward for the capture of top Abu Sayyaf leaders. [Passage omitted]

US troops are scheduled to begin a joint operation in Sulu and other parts of Mindanao later this year to help the military track down the remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf.

Source: The Philippine Star web site, Manila, in English 24 Aug 03