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Monday, August 11, 2003
High-powered rifles seized in Palimbang
By Edwin G. Espejo
PALIMBANG -- The military said it seized several high-powered firearms from abandoned houses believed used by escaped members of the Abu Sayyaf in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.
In a belated report, Brigadier Gen. Alexander Yano, commanding general of the 601st Brigade, said the firearms included five M-16 armalite rifles, an M14-rifleone, and a .45 caliber pistol. They were recovered from abandoned houses in Barangay Libua.
The abandoned houses were allegedly used as safehouses by Abu Sayyaf bandits.
Yano said the high-powered firearms were recovered last July 29, the day six suspected Abu Sayyaf members were captured in the barangay.
"Although the weapons were not seized from the possession of the six suspects, we believe these belonged to them," Yano told reporters.
Also recovered were a handheld radio and one Kenwood transceiver.
The seized firearms and communication equipment are now in the custody of the military.
Late last month, Yano announced they captured six Abu Sayyaf members who were identified by one of the group's hostages in Jolo as among their captors.
The witness, who the military declined to identify, was reportedly a former hostage of the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo.
Yano identified the six Abu Sayyaf suspects as Saudi Lakim Abdul, Abdulwahib M. Gani, Bla Omar Guiamat, Solaiman Juan Piang, Kayno Bandala Piang and Wahab Undaya Piang.
Three of the suspects were also positively identified by more Abu Sayyaf hostage victims when presented at the headquarters of the military's Southern Command headquarters in Zamboanga City.
Local government officials in Palimbang, including Mayor Labualas Mamansual, claimed the six are innocent residents of Barangay Libua.
Yano pointed out that the suspects could have been moonlighting as Abu Sayyaf members.
He suspects the arrested Abu Sayyaf members were the ones who met the 55 fully armed men who landed in Barangay Libua last July 5.
Abu Sayyaf leader Khadaffy Janjalani reportedly led the armed men.
"Just because they are from Palimbang that does not mean they could not engage themselves in criminal activities," Yano said of the six residents who are now facing charges of kidnapping with serious illegal detention, in Jolo and Basilan.
Despite the presence of almost a battalion of soldiers in Palimbang, no skirmishes have been reported between the government troops and the Abu Sayyaf group.
Yano said they would continue to operate in the area until the armed men are neutralized.
"We cannot afford to allow them foothold in the area," Yano added.
(August 11, 2003 issue)
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