ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 3, 2012) – Philippine authorities have admitted Tuesday the presence of Jemaah Islamiya terrorists in the troubled southern region where Abu Sayyaf militants are actively operating.
Western Mindanao military chief Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer said they have identified 5 Jemaah Islamiya members who are being protected by the Abu Sayyaf.
The five – Qayim, Mauiya, Marwan, Saad and Amin Baco – are being hunted down by security forces. Mauiya was one of those who held three members of the International Committee of the Red Cross – Italian national Eugenio Vagni, Swiss Andreas Notter and Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba.
The trio was kidnapped in 2009 in the southern province of Sulu by the Abu Sayyaf. (Mindanao Examiner)
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