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SLUG: 2-314869 Philippines / Terror Suspect (S-O)
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DATE=4/08/2004 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=PHILIPPINES/TERROR SUSPECT (SHORT ONLY) NUMBER=2-314869 BYLINE=MICHAEL BARKER DATELINE=MANILA CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: The Philippine army says it has killed one of the top leaders of the Abu Sayyaf militant group, a man who was wanted by the United States for kidnapping and murder. Michael Barker reports from Manila. TEXT: Military officials say Hamsiraji (PRON: HAM-SEE-RAJ) Sali and five other Abu Sayyaf members died in a firefight with an army unit on the island of Basilan Thursday. Four soldiers were wounded. The United States had offered a five million dollar bounty for Mr. Sali, who is suspected of having helped kidnap three Americans and a group of Filipinos from a resort in 2001. Two of the Americans ultimately died. Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Lucero says the shootout followed an intelligence tip. /// LUCERO ACT /// It was, shall I say, a surgical strike. They've got good intelligence about the presence of these Abu Sayyaf members. /// END ACT /// The radical Islamic group, which is linked to the al-Qaida terrorist network, has been weakened recently with the deaths and arrests of several leaders. Last week, the government arrested six alleged members suspected of plotting a bombing campaign in Manila. (Signed)
NEB/PH/MB/KPD/RH
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