July 7, 2005, Sunstar, Army scours Maguindanao for Janjalani, Abu Sayyaf, by Ben O. Tesiorna,

July 7, 2005, Sunstar, Army scours Maguindanao for Janjalani, Abu Sayyaf, by Ben O. Tesiorna,

A MAJOR military operation is now ongoing in the mountains of Maguindanao province in search for the Abu Sayyaf leader Khadaffy Janjalani and some 30 of his men and other suspected members of Jemaah Islamiyah. 

Colonel Mario Chan, chief of staff of the Army's 6th Infantry Division based in Awang, Cotabato City, said they started their massive operation last Sunday after the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair declared the areas of North and South Upi in Maguindanao as a "free zone area" meaning there are no MILF regulars operating there. 

Chan said they have intelligence reports that Janjalani and his men are hiding in the area after being driven away by the MILF from their controlled areas. 

Chan, however, admitted they are having a hard time locating the Abu Sayyaf bandits due to the lush vegetation in the area coupled with harsh terrain and bad weather conditions. 

At the moment, attack helicopters are scouring the area for possible sightings on the rebels. (with Peng Aliño)