| Abu Sayyaf men
disguise themselves to escape military SULU, (ABS-CBN) - Fleeing Abu Sayyaf gunmen have been disguising
themselves as Muslim religious leaders to escape the military assault in Jolo, Sulu.
Military intelligence reports said there have been a number of
"sightings" of Abu Sayyaf members disguised as Tablighs particularly at the
Ummul Quarah Village in Indanan town.
Intelligence records show that the Tablighs, who claim to have
300,000 followers all over Mindanao, were the predecessors of the extremists group.
Tabligh is an international missionary organization that
focuses on "promoting piety" within the Muslim community rather than on
converting non-Muslims.
They are known to promote peace and solidarity among Muslims
and the belief that Christians and Muslims can coexist harmoniously in Southern
Philippines.
The intelligence report said a number of bandits are believed
to have blended with the civilian population after hiding their para-military uniforms and
weapons.
It added that ASG commanders have ordered their members not to
roam around in Jolo proper lest they would be pinpointed by the military.
And despite the tight military cordon, intelligence reports
showed that several of Galib Andang's (Commander Robot) men have slipped through to nearby
Tawi-Tawi.
Others are said to be heading to small islands like the
Laminusa and Sitangkai Islands from staging points in Minul Point in the town of Siasi.
Among the items recovered from fleeing Abu Sayyaf members were
drums of diesel, the fuel used for speedboats and motorized seacrafts.
Defense and military officials have been claiming that ranking
Abu Sayyaf leaders, including their 17 hostages, are still holed up in Sulu.
Reports also said that on September 24, the group of Abu
Sayyaf spokesperson Abu Sabaya, which is holding Jeffrey Schilling tried but failed to
escape from the coastlines of Luuk following the malfunctioning of their sea craft.
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