Thread FULL!!!__AMERICA AT WAR!__Use New Thread!: Re: Philippine Front

» JenL_2 - Re: Philippine Front

In response to message posted by BPyles:

Update from 3/15 Manila Times:

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US drones start hunting down Abu Sayyaf rebels

By Roland Ramos and Faber Concepcion

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Unmanned US aerial vehicles started Wednesday night to hunt down Abu Sayyaf rebels and their hostages in Basilan, a ranking military officer of Southern Command told The Manila Times.

The drones taking off from the Edwin Andrews Air Base hours under the cover of the night and in almost complete silence.

The Southcom, who requested anonymity, told The Times that the UAVs took off 8 p.m. with the EP-3 Orion surveillance plane.

Maj. Noel Detoyato, spokesman of the 4th Infantry Division, said the surveillance plane and US drones reportedly give a “real time intelligence” report to forward troops in Basilan.

Their images “narrow down the areas that are being operated on,” Detoyato told The Times. But he stressed that ground troops need to verify “information gathered by technology,” an apparent reference to the US surveillance flights.

Jitters were also felt here as residents were initially spooked by the Orion’s unusual sound and the three-hour long dawn blackout yesterday.

Rebels flee

In Basilan, troops were focusing between Maluso and Lantawan towns.

Asked on the reported escape of the Abu Sayyaf from Bulansa, Lantawan to Sulu, Detoyato said it could have been misinformation, adding that the military would not change its strategy.

Troops in Basilan, he noted, continue to receive data “with positive indicators” of Abu Sayyaf presence.

The arrest of three aides of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani here indicate rebels are feeling the heat in Basilan, Detoyato said.

Police and military officials nabbed on Tuesday Ahmad Macrohon, 18 alias Abdulsahid, Ghalib Hasan alias Munib Hassan and Mon Asa. Witnesses identified the arrested men as key players in the Tumahubong, Sumisip kidnapping that led to the death of Claretian priest, Fr. Roel Gallardo and five other teachers two years ago.

Tumahubong students saw Macrohon in a department store here and reported him to the police. Hassan and Asa were captured by the joint military intelligence group in their hideout in Sta. Barbara.

At a press briefing, Southcom deputy director, Brig. Gen. Rodolfo Diaz, said the arrest of Hassan indicates most of the group has left Basilan.

Hassan carries a P1-million price on his head, according to the Joint DND-DILG Reward Circular issued last year. Macrohon has also a P100,000 reward for his arrest.

Diaz claimed more arrests would be made in the coming days, to include “key personalities of the Abu Sayyaf” who are hiding in Zamboanga City.

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....Jen

-- posted by JenL_2