Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANILA1885
2006-05-02 08:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manila
Cable title:  

ARREST OF ASG OPERATIVE AL-SHARIE AMIRUDDIN A

Tags:  PTER PREL MOPS KPAL BX ID MY RP 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0420
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #1885 1220856
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 020856Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0798
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 0686
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0073
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//OSD/ISA/AP//
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 001885 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MTS AND S/CT
USPACOM FOR FPA HUSO
SECDEF/OSD/ISA/AP FOR ALLEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2016
TAGS: PTER PREL MOPS KPAL BX ID MY RP
SUBJECT: ARREST OF ASG OPERATIVE AL-SHARIE AMIRUDDIN A
SIGNIFICANT CATCH

Classified By: Political Counselor Scott Bellard
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 001885

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MTS AND S/CT
USPACOM FOR FPA HUSO
SECDEF/OSD/ISA/AP FOR ALLEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2016
TAGS: PTER PREL MOPS KPAL BX ID MY RP
SUBJECT: ARREST OF ASG OPERATIVE AL-SHARIE AMIRUDDIN A
SIGNIFICANT CATCH

Classified By: Political Counselor Scott Bellard
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. The recent arrest of Al-Sharie Amiruddin y
Mohammad Nur, aka Abu Omar, is a significant catch for the
Armed Forces of the Philippines. Although a mid-level
operative, Amiruddin was an early Abu Sayyaf Group adherent,
and involved in intelligence and recruiting activities in
Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. He has admitted to
involvement in the Das Palmas and Sipadan kidnappings and to
plotting new attacks against the popular beach resorts of
Boracay and Dakak. Embassy working groups will examine the
possibility of a recommendation for payment under the US
Rewards for Justice program. End Summary.


2. (C) Elements of Military Intelligence Group 9 (MIG 9)
arrested Al-Sharie Amiruddin y Mohammad Nur, aka Abu Omar, an
Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) planner wanted for his role in the
Sipadan kidnappings, on April 24 in Zamboanga City. During
his initial interrogation, Amiruddin stated he had undergone
24 months of intensive training from June 1991 to 1993 with
his cousin, ASG leader Khadaffy Janjalani, in Marawi City.
The first 18 months focused largely on Islamic theory, while
the last six were devoted to military subjects, such as basic
explosives, tactics, guerrilla warfare, the use of the AK-47,
M14, and M16 rifles and the .45 caliber pistol, and
self-defense training in taekwando and karate. The military
training took place at Camp Busrah in Kalinugas, Lanao del
Sur.


3. (C) Amiruddin claimed to his interrogators that four
foreign nationals were present during the training, which
winnowed an initial class of 300 students down to 67. These
were Jamal Khalifa, a Saudi national, who served as the
finance officer, and three Palestinians -- Abu Rasheed, Abu
Mousad, and Abu Ibbada.


4. (C) Following his training, Amiruddin joined the ASG as
an intelligence officer, with responsibilities for
surveillance and recruiting activity. He visited Malaysia,
Indonesia, and Brunei repeatedly in this capacity, working in
concert with a branch of the Tabligh organization located in
Marawi City.


5. (C) Amiruddin admitted he was one of the planners for the
Dos Palmas and Sipadan kidnappings, and said he had
personally conducted reconnaissance of each site before the
ASG raids. Amiruddin confessed he had been involved in
planning kidnapping operations targeting the popular beach
resorts of Boracay and Dakak at the time of his arrest.
Boracay, one of the Philippines' major tourist sites, is a
popular haunt of both foreigners and the Philippine elite.
Philippine authorities have also implicated him in the 1993
kidnapping of the American missionary Fr. Charles Walton.


6. (C) COMMENT. Amiruddin is one of the most wanted
terrorists in the Philippines, with 13 outstanding warrants
for his arrest. Although a mid-level operative, his
long-standing association with the ASG and knowledge of its
activities makes him a valuable prize. Embassy working
groups will now examine the possibility of a recommendation
for payment under the US Rewards for Justice program.

Visit Embassy Manila's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm
Kenney