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December 7, 2004

Embassy rewards 3 Basilan residents P18.7M each for info on ASG terrorist

Masked and wearing uniform shirts to protect their identity, three residents of Basilan Province in southern Philippines each receive from William Lamb  (second right) Diplomatic Security Special Agent and Regional Security Officer-U.S. Embassy, an attaché case containing P18.7 million in cash (photo below) as their reward during a public ceremony in Basilan on October 25, 2004.  The three were rewarded under the Department of State's Rewards for Justice Program for providing information that enabled the Philippine military to locate Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Hamsiraji Sali.  A leader of an ASG gang that kidnapped and murdered U.S. and Filipino citizens, Sali was killed in the ensuing firefight.

 

“The Department of State’s Rewards for Justice Program is designed to encourage people to provide information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of terrorists worldwide,” said U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Joseph Mussomeli in his remarks during the ceremony. He expressed hopes that the three recipients of the reward will encourage others to “step forward and bring to justice Khaddafy Janjalani, Abu Solaiman, Isnilon Hapilon and other known terrorists so that we can end forever the depredations of the AS and other terrorist organization.”

 

Philippine Secretary of Justice Raul Gonzales (above) cites the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for bravery in the battle that erupted during the attempted capture of Hamsiraji Sali. Basilan Provincial Hospital Director Dr. Nilo D.R. Barandino (top right) speaks to local media about his experiences as a captive of the Abu Sayyaf Group. AFP Scout Rangers Commander Lt. Col. Noel Buan speaks to the media on the role of the Rewards for Justice Program in helping end terrorism in the Philippines. Lt. Col. Buan received the Philippine Medal of Valor for bravery he exhibited during the military’s attempt to capture Sali.

 

	(Left:) Paul O'Friel, Deputy Political Counselor of the U.S. Embassy Manila, greets Col. Raymundo Ferrer, Commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, Armed Forces of the Philippines.
(Right:) A member of the Light Reaction Company, 103rd Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines scans the area around the Basilan General Hospital, stands guard by the perimeter walls of Basilan General Hospital during the October 25 Rewards for Justice ceremony.

 

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