TROOPS from the military’s Joint Task Force Comet have
captured in Sulu province a suspected sub-leader of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf
Group who has a P2 million bounty on his head, military officials reported
yesterday.
Troops apprehended Sakirin Andalan Sali, alias Kirih-kirih,
44, a resident of Barangay Gagguil, Panglima Estino, Sulu, near a Land Bank
branch in Jolo a little before 10 am Wednesday, said AFP public affairs office
chief Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres. He said Sali – who has standing arrest warrants
for multiple murder and frustrated murder – had been identified by a fellow ASG
member who worked under the late Ghalib Andang, more popularly known as
Commander Robot.
Sali reportedly joined the ASG, specifically Andang’s group,
in 2000. Andang was captured in December 2003 in Sulu and died with 21 other
prisoners in May 2005 during a jail riot in Bicutan, Taguig.
"(Sali) admitted to have guarded the Almeda group when they
were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf. He was involved in the Sipadan incident,"
Torres said, referring to the group of Jesus Miracle Crusade leader Wilde Almeda.
Almeda and his group went to Sulu in July 2000 at the height
of the Sipadan hostage-taking incident to pray over the release of 21 mostly
Caucasian hostages but were instead also kidnapped by the ASG. The group was
released three months later.
Task force commander Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban said the arrest
of Sali is part of the military’s ongoing efforts to account for the remaining
leaders and members of the group. He said the arrest of Sali will pave the way
for the delivery of justice to his victims and their families.
"While concerted efforts are given to development projects,
the chase and punitive actions against terrorist ASG have never been relegated.
The military has always been relentless in its efforts to deliver them to the
wheels of justice," said Sabban.
"One captured terrorist, one notch lower for the Abu Sayyaf. Soon, other ASG
terrorists responsible for violence and terrorism will also fall into the hands
of the law. They shall be pursued until they fall," he added. – Victor
Reyes
