Philippine government to 'run over' terrorist coddlers, Aquino warns

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno Aquino III today made a stern warning against those who are coddling a high-profile terrorist target who managed to escape the police dragnet in Maguindanao, saying the government "will run you over."

Aquino, in a televised message to the nation, also asked the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the largest Muslim rebel group in the country, to surrender Abdul Basit Usman, a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group, if he is in their territory or "not to interfere" in government's operation against him.

Usman escaped when members of the police Special Action Force (SAF) assaulted his hideout and that of Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, top official of terrorist Jemaah Islamiyah, in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25, claiming also the life of 44 police commandos.

"Now about Usman, let me point out the following: If he remains within your territory, or is protected by one of your members, we expect you to surrender him to the authorities. If not, we expect you to do everything you can to help capture him. And if even this is not possible, do not interfere with our pursuit of Usman," Aquino said.

Marwan was killed in the recent operation, and Usman were allegedly responsible for the deadly explosions that rocked southern Philippines during the past years. They are both under the terror list of the United States, with 5 million U.S. dollars bounty on Marwan's head and 1 million U.S. dollars on Usman's.