/ stevenwarran's Library/ Notes/ June 23, 2002, NewsoftheForce, Captured Philippine Rebels Recount Leader's Death,
June 23, 2002, NewsoftheForce, Captured Philippine Rebels Recount Leader's Death,
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June 23, 2002, NewsoftheForce, Captured Philippine Rebels Recount Leader's Death,
CAPTURED PHILIPPINE REBELS RECOUNT LEADER'S DEATH
CAPTURED PHILIPPINE REBELS RECOUNT LEADER'S DEATH
Two captured Philippine rebels recounted in a military-released video how sailors shot dead a key leader of the Abu Sayyaf rebels as the government fought public skepticism about his death.
The skepticism was provoked by the military's failure to produce the body of Abu Sabaya, who it said fell into the water along with two other rebels after they were hit by naval gunfire in a clash with a Navy patrol on Friday off southern Zamboanga del Norte province.
"For people living in the throes of terror for years now, it is very important for them to be fully convinced of the death (of Sabaya)," Roman Catholic Bishop Antonio Ledesma told reporters.
Rebels Adzmar Alok and Abdurakman Ismael both said they saw Sabaya get shot in the back after sailors rammed their speedboat as they tried to flee to a nearby island.
"He got hit here in the back.....when he fell off the boat, the soldiers kept on firing. I jumped into the sea," Alok said. "The firing was at close range. I am sure (he is dead)."
Ismael said: "They suddenly rammed our boat. Abu Musa (another rebel) and Sabaya started shooting at the marines. Then I saw Sabaya was hit and he fell into the water. I saw him get hit in the back, sir."
"It looked like he did not know how to swim but the shooting went on."
Sabaya, a former naval cadet, was the best known leader of the Abu Sayyaf group which claims to be fighting for a Muslim homeland in the southern Philippines but concentrates on kidnap for ransom.
The United States has linked the Abu Sayyaf with Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida network and has rewards of up to $5 million on each of the heads of five of the Muslim militant group's leaders, including Sabaya.
About 1,000 US troops have been on Basilan Island in the southern Mindanao region since February to train Philippine troops in the fight against the Abu Sayyaf.
Alok also gave what the military said was an eyewitness account of how American missionary Martin Burnham was killed during a gunbattle between the guerrillas and soldiers sent to rescue him, his wife and Filipina nurse Deborah Yap from more than a year of rebel captivity.
Alok said he saw Burnham shot by one of his companions on Sabaya's orders.
"Once the soldiers get near, kill that Martin," Alok quoted Sabaya as ordering his men.
The military said Alok and Ismael were among four Abu Sayyaf members who were captured after Friday's clash.
Three days of sea search have failed to produce any trace of Sabaya and his two other followers. Dozens of fishermen have joined in the search after the military announced reward of 50,000 pesos ($1,000 US) for anyone who could find Sabaya's body.
The military said it was possible strong currents had swept Sabaya's body farther to the ocean where it might have been eaten by sharks infesting the southern seas.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer said today: "Until his body surfaces, the sense of closure that his victims need -- and in that sorry list we must include the entire nation -- will be incomplete."
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