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December 1, 2005
Philippines: US Freezes Assets of Islamist Leaders
News from Bloomberg. The United States has frozen the assets of three leaders of the Islamic terror group Abu Sayyaf, who operate mainly in the southern islands.
Currently, the US is training Filipino troops who are involved in an insurgency conflict on the island of Jolo in Sulu province. The current conflict, which has seen 6 soldiers dead and 33 injured, is being led by the one-armed, horse-riding Abu Sayyaf mililtant, Radilon Sahiron.
Sahiron, as well as Jainal Antel Sali jr and Isnilon Totoni Hapilon have had their assets frozen, according to Patrick O'Brien of the US Treasury Department, who disclosed the information in an email statement.
"The Abu Sayyaf Group instills terror throughout Southeast Asia through kidnappings, bombings and brutal killings. This action financially isolates senior members of the ASG," the statement read.
US Pacific Command has added Sali, Sahiron and Hapilon to its rewards program wanted list, offering as much as $200,000 for information leading to the capture of any one.
Abu Sayyaf in Jolo are currently working with rebels from the MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front), but the group has links with the pan-southeast Asian terror group Jemaah Islamiyah, responsible for numerous bombings, including the two Bali attacks of 2002 and October 1 this year. The group also caused a bombing of a bus in Manila on February 14 this year, which killed 4 and injured 60. Three terrorists were sentenced to death on October 28 for their involvement.
The group also has ties with a group of Christian converts to terrorist Islam, the Rajah Solaiman group. A leader of this group was arrested on October 26 in Zamboanga city on Mindanao, the largest of the southern islands.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at December 1, 2005 9:44 AM
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