By JIM GOMEZ
The Associated Press
Monday, June 5, 2006; 11:07 AM
JOLO, Philippines -- The leader of an al-Qaida-linked militant group and two Indonesians suspected in the deadly 2002 Bali bombings may be plotting to attack U.S. and Philippine troops on a southern island, military officials said Monday.
The militants were seen recently on Jolo island but could not launch their attacks because of problems caused by U.S.-backed offensives, two Philippine military officials told reporters on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
Khadaffy Janjalani and the two Indonesians _ Dulmatin, who goes by one name, and Umar Patek _ also have run low on weapons and ammunition, one of the officials said.
Washington has offered multimillion-dollar rewards for the capture of Janjalani, Dulmatin and Patek.
Janjalani and the Indonesian militants have taken refuge in Jolo's vast mountainous heartland near Patikul town _ a rebel stronghold under control of Radulan Sahiron, a one-armed Abu Sayyaf commander also wanted by Washington, the military officials said.
Janjalani and Sahiron have about 70-80 armed men with them, the military officials said. There are less than 200 Abu Sayyaf guerrillas on Jolo, with the rest belonging to two allied rebel factions based near Jolo's Indanan town, they said.
Janjalani is wanted for allegedly masterminding several high-profile ransom kidnappings of Filipinos and Americans and deadly attacks, including the bombing of a ferry in Manila Bay in 2004 that killed 116 people.
The two Indonesians, believed to be leaders of the Indonesian-based Jemaah Islamiyah group, are wanted for their alleged role in the 2002 Bali bomb attacks that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists. They are believed to have fled to the southern Philippines to elude an Indonesian government manhunt, then forged an alliance with the Abu Sayyaf.
Also Monday, U.S. Pacific commander Adm. William Fallon flew to Jolo under heavy guard to visit American troops who are treating the sick and helping build roads and schools. The humanitarian mission bolsters Washington's efforts to improve its image in the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries deemed crucial in the global war on terrorism.
"This is a very, very, very important place in this war on terror because fundamentally the terrorists survive and thrive in those areas where there is unrest and insecurity," Fallon told reporters.
"Our aim is to set those conditions so the terrorists don't have any place to put down roots and people will say they'd much rather do things that are useful ... than to support terrorism."
Hundreds of U.S. troops in the southern Philippines have played a key role in training Filipino soldiers and in development projects.
Troops from the U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy, helped by U.S. medical personnel and aid workers, have provided free medical services in three Jolo hospitals surrounded by concertina wire, treating 300-500 patients a day for fever, cataracts and other ailments. Some patients have been flown to the ship for more complicated surgery, U.S. Air Force Maj. Anne Carbowski said.
Outside a hospital treatment room, Ayang Sahibudin, 70, was among hundreds waiting to be examined. The mother of 11 complained of coughing blood and said it was her first trip to a hospital.
"I like Americans because they are giving us medical attention," she said. Asked about the militants, she replied, "The Abu Sayyaf bring only violence and fear to our town."