April 30, 2000, The Philippine Star, Foreign terrorists involved in kidnap - Salapuddin, by Jess Diaz

April 30, 2000, The Philippine Star, Foreign terrorists involved in kidnap - Salapuddin, by Jess Diaz 

Foreign terrorists were involved in the abduction of 21 tourists in the resort island of Sipadan in Sabah, Malaysia, a Muslim congressman said yesterday.

Citing his source, Rep. Abdulgani "Gerry" Salapuddin (LAMP, Basilan), former commander of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in his province, said the abductors were a composite of group of "Caucasians, Chinese and other races."

"If this information is correct, then this is not an ordinary kidnapping; it is an international terroristic activity," he said.

He said the intelligence arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines should look into this report.

Salapuddin also urged the military to tightly seal off the capital town of
Isabela in Basilan as Muslim kidnappers belonging to the Abu Sayyaf group could still escape its dragnet.

He said government troops should particularly watch the Pulo Malajadia jungle, which is about 20,000 hectares in area.

"It is possible that the Abu Sayyaf group can escape the military offensive because of the very treacherous jungle. They have mastered the terrain there," he said.

He suggested that the Armed Forces enlist the help of armed civilian groups in the province.

The use of these groups would be a great advantage to the military because of
their familiarity with the area, he said.

Earlier, another administration congressman, Rep. Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela, criticized Basilan Gov. Wahab Akbar for ordering armed civilians to hunt down and kill Muslim terrorists.