Saturday, December 19, 2009

Basilan jail breaker says he surrender, civilian gets bounty

Philippine Army soldiers patrol Isabela City in Basilan province as the hunt for 28 mostly Abu Sayyaf prisoners continues Saturday, December 19, 2009. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)



BASILAN, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / December 19, 2009) – The Philippine government may have erred in releasing a quarter million pesos reward to a civilian who allegedly helped police authorities in capturing one of more than 2 dozen mostly Abu Sayyaf militants who bolted a prison in the southern Basilan province.

Security forces are still pursuing the remaining 28 prisoners a week after more than 100 Abu Sayyaf gunmen and Moro rebels stormed the provincial jail in Isabela City and freed the terrorists.

Troops this week killed one militant – Nasirul Baliyung - and captured another – Amil Baylon - in the village of Maligue after a civilian tipped off the military about the presence of the prisoners. The informant was rewarded P350,000 by the military. The money was part of P10 million bounties put up by the Anti-Terrorism Council.

On Wednesday, another prisoner – Aseng Sahibul – was allegedly recaptured by the police in the village of Kapatagan Grande in Isabela City, the provincial capital.

The Anti-Terrorism Council also rewarded P250,000 to a civilian informant who allegedly provided information that led to the capture of Sahibul, an alleged Abu Sayyaf militant. (Mindanao Examiner)

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