US envoy: Sulu airstrike a serious blow vs terror

Friday, February 3, 2012

AN AMERICAN envoy said the deaths of Jemaah Islamiyah (JIs) key personalities and Abu Sayyaf bandit leader in Sulu are a “serious blow against transnational terrorism.”

Fifteen terrorists, including JI leaders Malaysian Zulkifli Bin Abdul Hir alias Marwan and Singaporean Muhamda Ali alias Muawiya, as well as Abu Sayyaf leader Gumbahali Jumdail alias Dr. Abu Pula, were reported killed in an airstrike launched by Filipino troops in the village of Duyan Kabau, Parang, Sulu, around 3 a.m. Thursday.

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The American government, through its Reward for Justice Program, is offering a $5-million reward for the capture Zulkifli, who was listed as one of the United States’ most-wanted terrorists.

Muawiya, who was tagged as among those behind the 2002 Bali bombing, carries a $50,000 reward.

Basset said the airstrike “marked a very, very serious blow against transnational terrorism,” although she admitted they have yet to confirm the identities of the slain terrorists.

Basset met with Mayor Celso Lobregat at the City Hall Friday afternoon after arriving from nearby Basilan province where she inaugurated a US-funded school building project.

She visited Lobregat to personally thank the mayor for his role in solving last year's kidnapping of an American national.

Basset thanked the troops for their efforts in fighting terrorism and assured the US forces will continue to assist the Filipino soldiers by way of providing the necessary training.