US seeks own forensic test on ‘Sobero’ remains

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The US government wants its own experts to conduct forensic tests on recently discovered skeletal remains to determine if they belong to an American kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf bandits, a top military official said yesterday.

Marine Col. Frank Gudani, Armed Forces Southern Command deputy commander for operations, said several US Embassy officials flew to this city Monday to examine the remains, believed to be those of Guillermo Sobero.

"They want the skull and bones to be further examined by their own forensic experts to find out if they really belong to Sobero," Gudani said.

Last week, three captured Abu Sayyaf members led government troopers to a shallow grave in the jungles of Basilan where, they claimed, the remains of Sobero were buried after he was beheaded on June 11.

Military intelligence officials in Zamboanga City showed reporters on Sunday two leg bones and smaller bone fragments, a tattered, muddy striped shirt bearing a "Made in USA" tag, a pair of flower-print shorts, blue plastic sandals, a nylon cord believed to have been used to tie Sobero’s hands, and a piece of clothing apparently used as gauze.

Elements of the 32nd Infantry Battalion also found a skull at Punoh Ulayan in Basilan Peak, near the shallow grave. The remains had been scheduled to be sent to Manila for further examination.

"Only a forensic expert can tell whether or not they belong to the American," Gudani said.

Officials of the US Embassy in Manila earlier said they have begun coordinating with Philippine officials in an effort to identify the skeletal remains.

Gudani said US officials did not indicate if the remains would be sent to the US or if an American forensic expert would be flying to Manila.

Sobero, along with an American missionary couple and 17 Filipinos, was kidnapped by the bandits in a daring raid on an island resort off Puerto Princesa City on May 27.

On June 12, Abu Sayyaf leader Aldam Tilao, alias Abu Sabaya, claimed Sobero had been beheaded as an "Independence Day gift" for President Arroyo who had laid down a no-negotiations policy and ordered the military to hunt down the bandits and rescue their hostages.

Sayyaf warns of retaliation

The Abu Sayyaf has warned the Arroyo administration of retaliatory attacks in highly populated areas in Basilan if government forces continue to pursue them.

In an interview over a local station, Sabaya said they will not hesitate to bomb more civilian places similar to last week’s mortar attacks in Isabela City, where five people were wounded.

He threatened to poison the water reservoir of the Basilan capital "if the military continues to attack."

Southcom chief Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu described the latest threat as "psy-war tactics" from the cornered bandits.

He said this was a sign that the Abu Sayyaf was weakening from the relentless military campaign.

Sabaya’s threats were issued after 21 of his followers were killed in a clash with Scout Ranger companies in Balatanay, Lantawan Sunday. – With Paolo Romero, Jose Rodel Clapano, Pia Lee-Brago