Abu Sayyaf warns of more hostilities against U.S. citizens

0 Comments | Asian Political News, July 22, 2002

MANILA, July 18 Kyodo

A leader of the Abu Sayyaf, an armed Islamic separatist group based in the southern Philippines, warned Thursday of a new round of hostilities against U.S. citizens.

''The things that you hold dear in this world -- your lives and properties -- are not safe from us,'' Abu Solaiman, one of five rebel leaders wanted by the United States, said in English in a phone call to a radio station in Zamboanga.

''For what is dear to you, we will gladly dedicate for the sake of our creator so that there may be true peace and justice in a real sense in this world,'' he said.

The threat came just days after Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone separately said the Abu Sayyaf group has been weakened by U.S.-backed military campaigns.

Solaiman is believed to have been responsible for negotiations in February for the release of two American hostages seized by the Abu Sayyaf last year.

The U.S. State Department last month offered up to $5 million to anybody who could provide information leading to the arrest of Solaiman, Abu Sayyaf chief Khadaffy Janjalani and his lieutenants Isnilon Hapilon and Hamsiraji Salih.

The most outspoken rebel leader, Abu Sabaya, is believed to have been killed in a sea clash with Philippine soldiers last month off the southern island of Mindanao.