Abu Sayyaf leader Janjalani Dead: US FBI & Philippine Military releases DNA test on corpse

The War vs. Terrorism in the Philippines has had a busy last three weeks. today US Law Enforcement and Military sources released information confirming that a body believed to be that of the Abu Sayyaf groups leader Khaddfi Janjalani was the body found in shallow grave. Some reports say his own bodyguards who buried him may have actually been involved in his death. They were the ones who told Philippine police where to find the body. US DNA tests confirmed the cadavers identity. .

AFP confirms ASG leader’s death
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday confirmed that the corpse recovered in the town of Jolo in Sulu province last year was that of slain Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Khadaffy Janjalani.
abs-cbnNEWS.com 1/20/2007 3:42:15 PM

Philippines, US say Abu Sayyaf chieftain is dead, DNA tests confirm
International Herald Tribune, France – MANILA, Philippines: DNA test results confirm the killing of Khaddafy Janjalani, the head of al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group, during a clash with …
Philippines sends more troops to hit militants China Post
Philippines sends more troops to counter militants Reuters AlertNet
US denies engaging in Philippines combat Stars and Stripes
Reuters AlertNet
all 486 news articles »

This comes days after a announcement about of the death of Abu Solaiman, an Abu Sayyaf leader and spokesman who was involved in a series of kidnappings and bombings spread across the Philippines.

Solaiman took part in attacks from a ferry bombing that killed over 100 in Manila. He is credited for the operation at dos Palmas the Palawan Kidnappings which took scores of Filipino and Ameircan lives, He is also reported or have claimed responcibility himself as well for over 20 terrorist bombings and Was often the voice annoucing on mindanao radio stations about beheadings of civilians in Mindanao. He personally was accused in crimes that have killed over 200 people.

Solaiman was eliminated in an encounter with members of the US trained and equiped 8th Special Forces Company in the town of Talipao, Sulu.

THE END OF THE LINE:

On Friday another the Philippine military unit reported that nine Abu Sayyaf members were killed in a firefight in Patikul town some 20 miles away .

These men were providing protection for the last original leader of the Abu Sayayf gang left alive – Hapilon or Abu Musab,.who is now the last Abu Sayyaf leader standing.

After nearly 12 years – the reign of terror of the abu sayyaf has been cut back from a force numbering thousands – to small bands of less than a few hundred men.

This battle is almost at an end.- the abu sayyaf leadership that became a nightmare for people in Mindanao – is nearly all gone.

The US funded Operations include Operation Plan Ultimatum, the final push against the terrorist ‘bandit group’.The deaths of hard-line terrorist leaders and capture or killing of over 300 abu sayyaf and Ji members have by and large the neutralized the forces of Abu Sayyaf and its al qaeda allies the Jemaah Islamiah in Mindanao.

The fight has cost the American taxpayer some 350 million dollars since 9-11 in direct military aid. Almost 900 Million dollars in projects and development grants.

In 12 years more a thousand Philippine soldiers, marines, and, police have lost thier lives in the battle with the ASG. Hundreds of civilians have been kidnapped, injured, or killed. scores of robberys, forced marriages by kidnappings, and countless other crimes have been alleged to have been commited by the group- who are frequently called ‘bandits’ or ‘pirates’ rather than strict islamic militants.

The lives of 22 americans both civilians and military. 14 of whom died in nighttime chopper crash at the start of the US backed operations. Hvae been part of the human costs to the USA in the last few years. At a monatary cost of about 1.5 billion dollars overall.

Privately Philippine officials point out – it has been money well spent – It has prevented scores of terror attacks – including some meant versus targets in the U.S.A. that include among them plots versus Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and, San Francisco. As well as other plots disrupted versus regional targets in Singapore, Malaysia, and, Australia.

The details of the disrupted plots Philippine officials will not reveal.

But one thing is clear both the US and Philippine governments in joint statement Friday in Manila say they are determined to mop up the forces of ‘evil’ – as they call the Abu Sayyaf – whose terrorism, pirate attacks, and, kidnappings – have been financed by crimes that include drug trafficking, counterfeiting, kidnapping, human trafficking, and extortion.

So far the US backed and funded effort has taken the southern islands of Mindanao from being a second front in the war on terror – to a areas that now give hope that at least in these island a Victory against the original leaders who kidnapped and or killed scores

Officials point out, while other leaders might rise up – most of the support areas these men once held are now for the most part back in civilai9n control. And the majority of grievances the Sayyaf used to recruit followers; are being addressed.

While in comparison to Iraq and Afghanistan the Abu Sayyaf never gained full control of even one of the Philippines provinces – the imapct they had on regional security and stability made the group a both a real and de-facto ally of extremists from Al Qaeda and even rogue state leaders like the late Saddam Hussein – whose own documents recovered in Baghdad revealed extensive funding and support given to the terrorist organization.

Now – with the last original leader of the Abu Sayyaf is being hunted. And when and if he is captured or killed – perhaps one chapter in this long war on terror will have an ending. Even though a ‘mission accomplished’ here will be meaningless by and large for most Filipino’s or Americans.

Yet – in these islands, freedom from fear and chance to live their lives in relative peace is a priceless – something the people of Sulu, Jolo, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan – they will never forget. .