The Jakarta Post, 1/21/2007 11:48:31 AM
Chief of al-Qaida-linked terror group died in clash with Philippine
troops
MANILA (AP): The Philippines' most wanted man, KhadaffyJanjalani, the head of the
brutal al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyafgroup, died in a clash with troops four months ago,
thegovernment said, citing results from DNA testing done in theUnited States.
The U.S. Embassy, which offered US$5 million (euro3.86million) bounty for Janjalani
for a series of attacks onAmericans, said his death marks "an important and positive
stepforward in the ultimate goal of eliminating the ruthless anddangerous Abu Sayyaf
group, and in destroying its links withinternational terrorist groups" such as
Indonesian-basedJemaah Islamiyah.
The announcement came four days after U.S.-backed Philippinetroops killed senior
Abu Sayyaf commander Abu Sulaiman,Janjalani's presumed successor.
Janjalani's death was confirmed after DNA tests in the U.S.compared tissue samples
taken from remains found buried in thejungles of southern Jolo island with those of
Janjalani'simprisoned brother, military Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said
Saturday.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo congratulated the troops inthe south, Esperon
said.
"More than ever, this administration is determined toeliminate the pockets of poverty
in the area to depriveextremists of recruiting grounds for terrorism,"
presidentialspokesman Ignacio Bunye said.
Police warned that the Abu Sayyaf could stage retaliatoryattacks, but assured
security measures were in place.
Janjalani had escaped from police detention in 1995, and threeyears later, took over
as Abu Sayyaf chieftain after his elderbrother, group founder Abdurajak Abubakar
Janjalani, was killed.
He was killed in a clash with soldiers on Jolo on Sept. 4,about a month after the
military launched a major offensivebacked by the U.S. military, which provided training
andintelligence support, Esperon said.
The offensive on Jolo, about 950 kilometers (600 miles) southof Manila, targeted
Janjalani, other Abu Sayyaf leaders, and twotop Indonesian terror suspects - Dulmatin
and Umar Patek.
Dulmatin and Umar are blamed for the 2002 bombings in Balithat killed 202 people,
and also have provided bomb-makingtraining to Indonesian and Filipino Muslim
extremists. (**)
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