PRESS GUIDANCE ON DEATH OF TERRORIST LEADER KHADAFI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 000243 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER MOPS KPAO PREL RP SUBJECT: PRESS GUIDANCE ON DEATH OF TERRORIST LEADER KHADAFI JANJALANI ¶1. (U) At the instruction of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Esperon confirmed to the media on January 20 that FBI laboratories, working together with Philippine experts, had confirmed that a corpse uncovered in December on Jolo Island in the course of the ongoing "Operation Ultimatum" was that of Khadafi Janjalani, the leader of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group. He specifically thanked the U.S. Government both for its assistance and advice for Philippine military operations and for its humanitarian assistance. He pledged the AFP would continue its anti-terrorist operations and expressed the hope that the AFP would next capture or kill the wanted terrorist Dulmatin (the Bali bomber) and other key terrorist leaders. ¶2. (U) Embassy press guidance follows: January 20, 2007 U.S. Embassy Manila Press Guidance DEATH OF KHADAFFI JANJALANI Q: How do you know the remains are those of Khadafi Janjalani? -- Law enforcement authorities of both the United States and the Philippines have conducted extensive forensic and DNA testing on the remains found near Patikul, on Jolo Island in Sulu Province in December 2006. Our conclusion is that these remains are those of Abu Sayyaf Group leader Khadafi Janjalani. Q: Were U.S. troops involved in his pursuit and killing? -- Visiting U.S. military forces advise, assist and share information with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to bring peace and prosperity to conflict-affected regions. These activities have certainly assisted the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the pursuit of terrorists, but U.S. troops have no active role in any combat operations. Q: Who will get the $5 million reward? -- A reward of up to $5 million has been offered by the U.S. Government for information leading to the capture or elimination of Janjalani. The U.S. will work with Philippine authorities to determine payment of this reward. -- To date, over $1.5 million has been paid to Philippine citizens who have provided information leading to the capture of wanted terrorists. Q: Any further details on the nature of Janjalani's death - when, where, how, and so on? -- Refer to the Government of the Philippines for any further details. ¶3. (U) Embassy press release, posted on our website on January 20, follows: January 20, 2007 U.S. Embassy, Manila U.S. CONGRATULATES THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ON THE ELMINATION OF ABU SAYYAF GROUP LEADER KHADAFI JANJALANI The United States congratulates the Government of the Philippines on confirmation that the leader of the terrorist organization Abu Sayyaf group Khadafi Janjanali has been killed. Remains found on the island of Jolo in Sulu province in December 2006 have been proven by forensic and DNA tests conducted in the Philippines and the United States to be those of the terrorist leader. This is a major step forward in the fight against terrorism in the Philippines and in the global war on terror. Janjalani has been pursued by the Philippines and the United States for his involvement in several terrorist attacks, kidnappings and murders. The Abu Sayyaf Group is designated by the U.S. as a Foreign Terrorist Group, and has been responsible for numerous terrorist bombings, murders and kidnappings, including the 2001 Dos Palmas kidnapping incident that resulted in the deaths of two American citizens. MANILA 00000243 002 OF 002 A reward of up to $5 million has been offered by the U.S. Government for information leading to the capture or elimination of Khadafi Janjalani. The U.S. will work with Philippine authorities to determine payment of this reward. The death of Khadafi Janjalani is an important and positive step forward in the ultimate goal of eliminating the ruthless and dangerous Abu Sayyaf Group, and in destroying its links with international terrorist groups such as the Jemaah Islamiya. The U.S. will continue to work with partners in the in the Philippines' military, law enforcement, and national and local governments to bring terrorists to justice and to build peace and prosperity in Mindanao and throughout the Philippines. KENNEY