October 4, 2012, The Philippine Star, 4:06 PM, 'Abu Sayyaf, JI Sulu operations already crippled', by Roel Pareño,

October 4, 2012, The Philippine Star,  4:06 PM, 'Abu Sayyaf, JI Sulu operations already crippled', by Roel Pareño,

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The activities of the militant Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) in Sulu province and nearby areas have already ceased with the military's relentless operations to cut down logistic and financial support to the terror groups, a military official said Thursday.

“Since the February operation that hit their main enclave in the mountains of Parang, things changed and the group’s operations have been crippled,” said Lt. Col. Randolf Cabangbang, spokesman of Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

Five militant leaders were killed in the military offensive, which was believed to be backed by US military technology. Among those killed were Abu SAyyaf leader Umbra Jumdail alias Dr. Abu Pula and two JI personalities Marwan and Mawiyah.

There were earlier reports that the two JI personalities were still alive, but the military believes its troops were able to neutralize the two Asian terrorists.

“Since February and up to now we have not heard [reports] on the two militants and if they were really alive," Cabangbang said.

He added that the Marwan and Mawiyah are respected leaders of the JI and if they are really alive, they would be forced to come out of hiding to keep the morale of their followers in the country.

"Remember these are two personalities are being looked up to by the JIs, and they will really come out to belie the information of their death,” Cabangbang said.

Cabangbang, meanwhile, said that the military is still hunting down three to four JI personalities, who are believed to be hiding with the Abu Sayyaf Group.

“These (terrorist group) should be completely neutralized if only to stop their terrorism activity,” Cabangbang said.

He said that the military's intelligence network has not monitored any terror plots being hatched by the terror group.