Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Moro rebel: 'Unseen hand' seen in Abu revival
By Lino dela Cruz
Iligan correspondent
ILIGAN CITY -- The ferry bombing last Sunday in Lamitan port, Basilan bears the signature of the Abu Sayyaf but since the group is a spent force, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) believes someone is trying to resurrect it.
An unnamed MILF intelligence officer said an "unseen hand" is trying to revive the Abu Sayyaf in Sunday's bombing of ferry m/v Dona Ramona at the newly constructed and inaugurated Lamitan port but did not reveal who this could be.
The MILF is helping government run after criminal elements and groups, including some of the wayward members of the rebel group.
The MILF intelligence officer said the group doubts the present capability of the Abu Sayyaf because government troops have been pursuing the group with United States (US) support in Basilan and Maguindanao, where at least two terror leaders and a few followers are reportedly hiding.
"The Abu Sayyaf is a spent force, it has no popular support and it has no organization to speak of," the MILF said.
The Abu Sayyaf has also been tagged by authorities as responsible for the August 10 bombing in downtown Zamboanga City where scores of people were injured.
The MILF identified by some of those injured in the ferry bombing as Nick Urciada, 61, Renato Sestina, 43, Ondrado Inlisan, 64, Alfredo Inlisan, 54, Leticia Magtalia, 45, Alvin Enriquez, 35, Aljin Enriquez, 3, Angelou Enriquez, 2, Angelie Enriquez, 35, Emmanuel Torres, 18, Joseph Juan, 25, Jaime Pueblo, 41, Roel Elenia, 18, Fe Calunsag, 31, Edwin Calunsag, 39, Sonny Boy Hamac, 12, Isnain Olmac, 30, Zenaida Sestina, 7, Steven Ian Tropesado, 22, Floramae Salian, 27, Felipe Nava, 58, and Salim Salurin, 28.
Last month, authorities reported the presence of at least 30 Jemaah Islamiya (JI) members in Mindanao who are reportedly planning to bomb major cities.
The military and police here and in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Ozamiz as well as the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental have stepped up their alert level following the reports on the presence of JI members. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro)
(August 30, 2005 issue)
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