July 24, 2002, New York Times, U.S. Indicts 5 Filipino Men In Kidnapping of Americans, by David Johnston,

July 24, 2002, New York Times, U.S. Indicts 5 Filipino Men In Kidnapping of Americans, by David Johnston, 

The Justice Department announced today the indictment of five leaders of the militant Islamic group Abu Sayyaf for kidnappings that led to the death of an American missionary in a gunbattle in the Philippines on June 7.

Deputy Attorney General Larry D. Thompson said at a news conference that none of the men indicted were in custody and that they remained the subjects of a $5 million reward. The whereabouts of the men are unknown, but American officials said one may have died in a clash last month with Philippine security forces.

That man -- identified in the indictment as Aldam Tilao, who has used the nom de guerre Abu Sabaya -- was reportedly killed in the waters off Zamboanga, in the southern Philippines. Law enforcement officials said Mr. Tilao was charged because he might be alive.

''With today's indictment, the United States sends a signal,'' Mr. Thompson said. ''We will work to track down and prosecute all those who would commit barbaric acts of terrorism against Americans, here at home and abroad. The Justice Department is committed to working with the government of the Philippines to bring the leaders of the Abu Sayyaf group to justice.''

The indictment, which was orginally brought in February under seal and refiled publicly today with additional information, identified the other four men as Khadafi Abubakar Janjalani, spiritual leader of the group; Isnilon Totoni Hapilon, the second in command; Jainal Antel Sali Jr., an intelligence officer; and Hamsiraji Marusi Sali, a group leader.

The Abu Sayyaf group has operated in the Philippines since the early 1990's. Initially it demanded an Islamic state in the south, but degenerated into what Philippine military commanders describe as bandits. At one point, Abu Sayyaf received money from a relative of Osama bin Laden, but beyond that, any possible links to Al Qaeda are uncertain.

Earlier this year, as the United States sought to expand its steps to curb terrorism, President Bush sent American troops to the Philippines to help its armed forces track down the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas. The Americans are barred from any combat role, although Mr. Bush has authorized moving the force closer to combat areas.

Today officials said that with the six-month program ending this month, new military exercises involving American troops would start in October and run until June. The exercises are to involve about 4,000 American and Filipino troops, the officials said, without specifying how many Americans will take part.

American counterintelligence officials have identified the Philippines as a meeting place for Al Qaeda terrorists since the mid 1990's, when authorities there discovered an operation they said was intended to blow up airliners en route to the United States.

The Abu Sayyaf group has taken responsibility for several kidnappings in recent years. Some people have been killed, others escaped or several were said to have paid substantial ransoms for their release.

In May 2001 the group kidnapped about 20 people, including three Americans: Martin Burnham; his wife, Gracia; and Guillermo Sobero, of Corona, Calif. On June 11, 2001, the group beheaded Mr. Sobero.

Mr. Burnham, of Rose Hill, Kan., and a kidnapped nurse, Ediborah Yap, were caught in a crossfire and killed during a military rescue mission last month. Three guerrillas died. Mrs. Burnham and seven soldiers were injured.

The five men indicted today were charged with conspiracy resulting in death, hostage-taking and three counts of hostage-taking resulting in death.

The conspirary charges date back to August 2000, when the Abu Sayyaf group kidnapped Jeffrey Schilling, of Oakland, Calif., who was living in the southern Philippines.

Mr. Schilling was held for seven months. The group threatened to kill him and demanded $10 million in ransom and the release of prisoners held in the United States. In April 2001, Mr. Schilling escaped.