February 24, 2003, The Philippine Star, Philippines: Third top Abu Sayyaf leader Susukan killed,

February 24, 2003, The Philippine Star, Philippines: Third top Abu Sayyaf leader Susukan killed,

Zamboanga City: After neutralizing Abu Sayyaf leader Mujib Susukan, the hunt is on for elusive Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot, and his men in the hinterlands of Talipao, Sulu.

Andang is the next Abu Sayyaf leader on the military's list, Armed Forces Southern Command (Southcom) chief Lt-Gen Narciso Abaya said. "We have already said we will get them one by one."...

Armed Forces chief of staff Gen Dionisio Santiago confirmed Susukan's death yesterday based on a report by Col Alexander Aleo, commander of the 104th Infantry Brigade.

After searching in the jungles of Talipao for three days, Susukan's cadaver was recovered and positively identified by the slain bandit's cousins Ahmad Yusop and Alonto Taog.

Abaya said Susukan's body was recovered from a shallow grave in Barangay Tiis Kutung, known to be Susukan's stronghold at 4 p.m. [local time] on Saturday.

Susukan's remains were brought to the 104th Army Brigade based in Busbus, Jolo and formally turned over Saturday night to Susukan's family for proper burial.

Aleo said Susukan's cadaver was decomposing when the military recovered it, Aleo said, adding that Muslim ulamas (preachers) "said there was no violation, citing that Susukan was a bandit".

Susukan and nine of his followers were killed in an encounter with the 53rd Infantry Battalion which swooped down on his hideout at Barangay Bandang in Talipao, Sulu on 18 February.

Susukan was shot under the right armpit and in the right leg in a clash, Aleo said quoting military reports.

Aleo said "before we recovered the cadaver, we already confirmed that (Susukan) was killed. But we have to provide his body, at least, to confirm, to erase doubts from the people."

His death was first confirmed by barangay [village] officials who were forced to bury Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in the clash, Abaya said.

The military said Susukan's death and the recovery of his corpse was expected to draw a retaliatory attack from the Abu Sayyaf. However, he said, the Abu Sayyaf has broken up into small groups and are on the run due to the relentless military offensive against them, making it difficult for the bandits to launch retaliatory attacks.

In terms of losses inflicted on the Abu Sayyaf, Abaya said, Susukan's death "is equivalent to the killing of (Abu Sayyaf spokesman) Abu Sabaya".

Sabaya was killed in a June 2002 encounter with Marines in a sea battle off Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte.

Abaya rated Susukan as the third top leader of the Abu Sayyaf, carrying a P5-million bounty on his head and was one of the prime suspects in the Abu Sayyaf raid on the Sipadan beach resort in Pulao Simballun, Sabah, Malaysia...

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