Janjalani slips out of Basilan

Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani has abandoned his followers, including spokesman Abu Sabaya, on Basilan island, the military said yesterday.

The information was conveyed to the Armed Forces’ Southern Command (Southcom) headquarters in Zamboanga City by Joel Guillo, who was rescued by troops from the Abu Sayyaf.

Guillo said Janjalani, accompanied by eight of his most trusted followers, fled the Abu Sayyaf camp last Oct. 5, the same day that two visiting Yemenis left, giving rise to suspicions that the foreigners helped the Abu Sayyaf leader slip through a military cordon of the area.

Guillo, who was among four Lamitan residents who were seized by the Abu Sayyaf bandits during a raid on the town last June 2, said Janjalani even asked him to look after the welfare of the other hostages.

Southcom deputy chief for operations Marine Col. Francisco Gudani expressed belief that Janjalani fled because of the increasing pressure exerted by the continuing military operations against the terrorist group.

"They felt that we are determined to finish this fight," Gudani said.

Southcom chief Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu has directed his troops to use all available resources for the air raid after at least 11 Abu Sayyaf guerrillas were reported killed during a military airstrike Tuesday afternoon in the jungles between Maligue town and Isabela City.

Gudani theorized that the Abu Sayyaf fighters apparently allowed Janjalani to leave because they knew that they were losing the battle.

"They want to protect their leaders for the sake of their struggle," Gudani stressed, adding it was part of a strategy to perpetuate their cause.

He also said that the military intelligence know Janjalani’s present whereabouts, but declined to reveal the place so as not to jeopardize on-going operations.

He gave assurances, however, that Janjalani is still in Mindanao.

The military believed that the mortar attack by the Abu Sayyaf in Isabela last Oct. 4 and the bomb blasts in three hotels in Zamboanga City were meant to cover up Janjalani’s escape.

Meanwhile, the remaining Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan led by Sabaya split up into several groups and divided the hostages among themselves.

The military said Sabaya’s unit went deeper into the jungles at the border of Isabela, making it harder for the pursuing soldiers to find their quarry.

"It will be a little bit complicated, but our troops can manage. We are also hampered by concerns over the safety of the hostages," Gudani said.