Monday, January 29, 2007 Death of Sayyaf leaders not end of terrorism: priest By Bong Garcia
A LEADER of the non-government organization (NGO) advocating peace and dialogue in Mindanao said the death of the top al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf leaders is not the end of the terror threats in the country, particularly in Mindanao.
Silsillah Dialogue Movement head Sebastiano D'Ambra suggested that "dialogue should continue between community leaders" in resolving conflicts in the different places in Mindanao, like in the province of Sulu.
D'Ambra's statement came after the recent deaths of top al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf leaders Khadaffy Janjalani and Jainal Antel Sali Jr., alias Abu Solaiman, in the wake of the continuous military offensive in Sulu province.
Janjalani was killed in a clash with government troops last September while Sali died when soldiers stormed and overran his camp last week in the Sulu hinterlands.
D'Ambra said the present approach implemented in Sulu might further aggravate the situation since there are other people who are affected by the continuous military offensive.
He believes that dialogue is still the best solution in attaining long and lasting peace in Mindanao.
