January 27, 2009, Sun Star, 4 Abu Sayyaf bandits convicted,

January 27, 2009, Sun Star, 4 Abu Sayyaf bandits convicted, 

DAVAO CITY -- A local court has convicted four Abu Sayyaf bandits for the killing of two people during a 2001 attack targeting Westerners at a popular resort in Davao del Norte.

Halik Abdani, Javier Sirri, and Yusop Saddai were each sentenced to up to 40 years in prison for the murders, according to a copy of the Pasig Regional Trial Court's decision.

The fourth man, Saltimar Sali, was sentenced to only 15 years in prison because he was a minor at the time of the attack, the court said.

The court also ordered the bandits to pay damages to the families of the victims.

Prosecutor Aristotle Reyes said the Abu Sayyaf bandits had planned to kidnap Western tourists at the Pearl Farms Resort in Samal Island in Davao del Norte province in the May 2001 attack. Their speedboats, however, ran aground at low tide, a blunder noticed by guards who opened fire on them.

A guard and another resort worker were killed in a shootout before the bandits backed off, he said.

Authorities captured the suspects later, along with Abu Sayyaf commander Nadzmi Sabdullah and Abu Sayyaf gunman Jlashrey Abtani who turned state witness.

The case against Sabdullah was dismissed after he was killed during a 2005 attempt to escape from a maximum-security prison in Manila.

Reyes said the remaining 17 Abu Sayyaf gunmen involved in the attack remained at large.

The Abu Sayyaf, which has been linked to kidnappings, bombing, and beheadings, is on the US list of terrorist groups. The group has been crippled by US-backed military offensives but still remains a threat, especially in Mindanao, where it is based.

Military operations against the Abu Sayyaf bandits and the communist and Moro rebels in Mindanao continue. However, latest reports said the Armed Forces of the Philippine's Eastern Mindanao Command (AFP-Eastmincom) welcomed the declaration of a unilateral ceasefire by the Arroyo administration.

Major Randolph Cabangbang of the Eastmincom said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's declaration of suspension of military operations (Somo) was in consonance with the AFP's recommendation, and they would strictly comply with it.

He said it allows Eastmincom personnel to go on a holiday vacation after months of running after Abu Sayyaf bandits, New People's Army (NPA) rebels, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in several areas in Mindanao.

"The decision is both wise and balanced considering that it addresses two concerns -- it allows the military personnel to spend the holidays with their loved ones while at the same time allows gains in military operation (sustained)," Cabangbang said in a statement.

The AFP, however, assured the public that though there is a ceasefire, it does not mean the military is letting its guards down.

The unilateral ceasefire is, however, not due to the demand of the NPA and other sectors but a tradition by the government during the holiday season. The communist rebel group also declared a few days of ceasefire in the spirit of Christmas.

Malacañang on Tuesday declared that the unilateral ceasefire would take effect on December 24 to 25 and December 31 to January 1.  LINK: