October 15, 2001, Sun Star, We don't kill our hostages: Global, by Ben O. Tesiorna,

October 15, 2001, Sun Star, We don't kill our hostages: Global, by Ben O. Tesiorna,

DAVAO -- Commander Global, the Abu Sayyaf leader now detained at the Davao del Norte Provincial Jail, said American hostage Guillermo Sobero could not have been killed by the Abu Sayyaf contrary to reports he was beheaded by the group of Khadaffy Janjalani and Abu Sabaya in Basilan.

Global, whose real name is Nadzmie Sabdullah, said it is against their religion (Islam) to mutilate or decapitate anybody without valid reasons especially the innocents and the helpless.

Global said it is the Abu Sayyaf group's Madlisus Sura that makes the final decision on the releasing and execution of their hostages.

Being a member of Madlisus Sura, he said, he was not aware of any decision reached by them for the execution of Sobero.

He admitted though that Sobero could have died because of lingering illness or the American could have been caught in a crossfire.

Global revealed this is similar with the case of one of their Filipino priest hostages which was said to have been mauled to death by the bandits.

The priest, he said, actually died during an encounter with the military in Sampinit complex in Basilan during the Sipadan hostage crisis.

Global, who is based in Sulu before he was arrested in General Santos City last July 8, revealed that the only Filipino hostage the Abu Sayyaf took hostage in Sipadan, Malaysia, Rolando Jaro, is still in the custody of Commander Rabdullah in Sulu.

He confirmed that Jaro had become sympathetic to their cause. "Siguro dahil nakikita nyang mabait kami sa kanya," said Global.

Global, however, said they are not holding Jaro against his will and that anytime Jaro wants to go, he can go.

At the same time Global admitted to Sun.Star Davao that they had made so much money from the Sipadan hostages.

He did not reveal, however, how much they made. He said their loot automatically went to the purchasing of guns and ammunition.

Global revealed that their fire power is supplied by a third party representing some corrupt military officials.

Most of their arsenal came from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, he added.

"Kaya yung pera na kinita namin sa ransom ng mga hostages ay napupunta din sa kamay ng mga militar," he said.

Global was the Abu Sayyaf spokesperson during the Sipadan hostage crisis.