JIs fled C. Mindanao, hid in Sulu – military

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The four Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militants seen in the company of Abu Sayyaf bandits during a military offensive in Sulu could be part of a group of foreign jihadists who escaped from Central Mindanao, a senior military official said yesterday.

The militants, which included Amin Bacu alias Abu Jihad and Khalid, were sighted during last Friday’s encounter between Marine soldiers and at east 300 Abu Sayyaf bandits near Mt. Awak in Barangay Latih, Patikul town.

Bacu, an Indonesian-Filipino, was said to be a follower of terrorist Zulkipli bin Hir, alias Marwan, who was killed by Special Action Force (SAF) commandos on Jan. 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

The three other JI militants spotted in Patikul were Muhamad Mahmud, Muhamad Alih, and an unidentified member.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said it was possible that the four militants came from other areas of Mindanao, either Central Mindanao or Basilan.

Arrojado said based on reports they received from their counterparts in Basilan, the four JI terrorists arrived in Patikul and proceeded to Kanjimaw, where a military offensive has been launched against the Abu Sayyaf.

He said a separate tracking operation has been conducted to get the JI militants. 

The fighting that broke out last Friday in the mountains of Patikul left three Abu Sayyaf killed and 15 others wounded, including 10 Marines.