September 29, 2000, BusinessWorld, Abu Sayyaf losing popular support,

September 29, 2000, BusinessWorld, Abu Sayyaf losing popular support,

Malacañang believes the Abu Sayyaf has lost the support of Sulu residents following the killing of three of its members by civilians in one town. Press Secretary Ricardo V. Puno, Jr., however, noted the government does not encourage and will not allow civilians to arm themselves and take the law into their hands. "Civilians there probably correctly feel that the entire pressure going on in Sulu is largely, if not entirely, due to the acts of the Abu Sayyaf in the past several years. This may have been the culmination of a lot of incidents which has brought the wrath of the people on the Abu Sayyaf. 

"But the government will not countenance any violations of law, we're not about to turn this into a vendetta or any mob rule in that particular area, but there are a lot of remote locations that you really cannot monitor the events 24 hours a day." 

He admitted there are reports of civilians arming themselves and "actively" fighting the Abu Sayyaf. Mr. Puno also clarified Defense Secretary Orlando S. Mercado's statement that soldiers can claim whatever "ransom" money they will recover, does not mean it's a free-for-all. He said guidelines will be drafted and the money will be turned over to the field commanders. 

There were earlier reports that the rebels have buried millions of dollars of ransom money in their jungle lairs, which they have abandoned due to the military assault. But Mr. Puno said the government has yet to determine whether it will return the ransom money, if recovered, to Libya, which allegedly paid the ransom in exchange for the freedom of the European hostages. 

Mr. Puno also said despite the claims of the police that they have evidence American Jeffrey Schilling maybe in connivance with the Abu Sayyaf, the military will still try its best to rescue him. "Mr. Schilling is, for all intents and purposes, still deemed to be a hostage by the Abu Sayyaf. If there is 
evidence that turns up later on that he was himself a criminal, then he would himself have to face the law. And he will be prosecuted if the evidence is available there," Mr. Puno said. Mr. Puno also said President Joseph E. Estrada will likely make an announcement today on the decision reached during the National Security Council Executive Committee meeting held in Malacañang last Tuesday. He said the announcement will tackle the government's "initiative" in Mindanao. 

In a related development, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday claimed 111 extremist Abu Sayyaf rebels have so far been killed in encounters with government troops. The latest tally released by the military indicated that seven other rebels were wounded and 49 others were captured in Indanan, Talipao, Patikul, Parang and Maimbung towns. 

The report said on the part of the government, five troopers have been killed and 11 others were wounded in the hostilities. Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) admitted several rebels under the command of Ghalib Andang, or Commander Robot, have slipped through the military cordon around Sulu, and have escaped to nearby Tawi-Tawi. 

In its daily journal, the PNP said Andang's group was spotted to have been harbored at Kuilasi in Maimbung town before they escaped to Tawi-Tawi. The report, however, failed to state whether Andang was seen with the group. "The group of Commander Robot was monitored to have harbored at Kuilasi, Maimbung, Sulu. Some of his members were able to escape to Tawi-Tawi. Moreover, a modulator, believed to be a member of ASG (Abu Sayyaf group) was noted giving instruction to his comrades not to roam around in Jolo town proper," the report stated. -- Leotes Marie T. Lugo and Ruffy L. Villanueva