Abu Sayyaf 'received funds from bin Laden'<\/p>\n
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (Reuters): A captured Philippine Moro
\nrebel leader has named Saudi-born dissident Osama bin Laden,
\nlinked by Washington to terror attacks on the United States, as a
\nfinancier of his group, the military said on Monday.<\/p>\n
Jimmy Theng admitted to bin Laden's alleged tie-up with the
\nAbu Sayyaf group during interrogation after his capture on
\nSaturday on the southern island of Basilan, a military statement
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"Significantly, he revealed that the Abu Sayyaf Group is
\nreceiving financial support from Osama bin Laden,\" it said. It
\ndid not mention any amounts.<\/p>\n
The Abu Sayyaf has been holding a U.S. missionary couple and
\n16 Filipinos hostage for months on Basilan.<\/p>\n
Theng's statements to investigators confirmed long-standing
\nmilitary suspicions about links between bin Laden and the
\nextremist group, armed forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan
\ntold reporters.<\/p>\n
\"What we know is that in 1995 they (bin Laden's group) trained
\npeople here in bombing and demolition, and some are now with the
\nAbu Sayyaf,\" Adan said.<\/p>\n
He said one of the men sent by bin Laden to the Philippines
\nwas a brother in-law married to a Filipina and who \"established
\nreligious NGOs and business networks in the country to
\npropagandize extremism and facilitate the flow of funds\" to local
\nMoro rebels.<\/p>\n
The brother-in-law has since left the Philippines.<\/p>\n
U.S. President George W. Bush has named bin Laden as a prime
\nsuspect in last week's suicide plane attacks which destroyed the
\nWorld Trade Center in New York and damaged the Pentagon in
\nWashington.<\/p>\n
The military estimates the Abu Sayyaf strength at about 1,200.
\nThey operate mainly on the largely islands of Basilan and Jolo,
\nnear the main island of Mindanao, 800 km (500 miles) south of
\nManila.<\/p>",
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