The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday awarded a total of P5.9-million cash reward to two informants who provided intelligence information to the military that led to the “neutralization” of two top Abu Sayyaf members involved in large-scale kidnap-for-ransom activities in Mindanao.
In the awarding ceremony held in Camp Aguinaldo, AFP chief Gen. Ricardo Visaya turned over P5.3 million to Informant X, whose face was covered with a hood to hide his identity. He led joint elements of the military and police to the killing of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Sihatra Muallam Asmad, alias Latip, in Sulu province in November 2014.
Asmad was involved in the kidnapping of foreign guests and workers of the Sipadan Beach Resort in Sabah, Malaysia, in April 2000, as well as members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Patikul, Sulu in August 2000.
Asmad, who was wanted for six counts of kidnapping and illegal detention, had a bounty of P5.3 million.
On the other hand, Informant Y received P600,000 for providing the information that led to the arrest of Yakan, who was wanted for the kidnappings and serious illegal detention of 15 and killings of two residents of Golden Harvest Plantation on June 11, 2001 in Barangay Tairan in Lantawan town, Basilan province.
Yakan was captured by the military on May 23, 2014. He carried a reward of P600,000.
Cooperation
Visaya said he was pleased with the cooperation shown by the people in the military campaign to neutralize the terrorist group.
“The information provided by the informants was vital in the identification and eventual arrest and neutralization of wanted personalities who have committed crimes against the people and our peace and security,” Visaya said.
“Beyond the reward money that they will receive, we hope that this endeavor will compel other people to step up in the fight against terrorism,” he added.
The reward system was established on June 12, 2001 to encourage civilians to provide vital information needed to neutralize personalities in the rewards list and thwart threats to peace and security.