Abu Sayyaf 'received funds from bin Laden'

Abu Sayyaf 'received funds from bin Laden'

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (Reuters): A captured Philippine Moro rebel leader has named Saudi-born dissident Osama bin Laden, linked by Washington to terror attacks on the United States, as a financier of his group, the military said on Monday.

Jimmy Theng admitted to bin Laden's alleged tie-up with the Abu Sayyaf group during interrogation after his capture on Saturday on the southern island of Basilan, a military statement said.

"Significantly, he revealed that the Abu Sayyaf Group is receiving financial support from Osama bin Laden," it said. It did not mention any amounts.

The Abu Sayyaf has been holding a U.S. missionary couple and 16 Filipinos hostage for months on Basilan.

Theng's statements to investigators confirmed long-standing military suspicions about links between bin Laden and the extremist group, armed forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan told reporters.

"What we know is that in 1995 they (bin Laden's group) trained people here in bombing and demolition, and some are now with the Abu Sayyaf," Adan said.

He said one of the men sent by bin Laden to the Philippines was a brother in-law married to a Filipina and who "established religious NGOs and business networks in the country to propagandize extremism and facilitate the flow of funds" to local Moro rebels.

The brother-in-law has since left the Philippines.

U.S. President George W. Bush has named bin Laden as a prime suspect in last week's suicide plane attacks which destroyed the World Trade Center in New York and damaged the Pentagon in Washington.

The military estimates the Abu Sayyaf strength at about 1,200. They operate mainly on the largely islands of Basilan and Jolo, near the main island of Mindanao, 800 km (500 miles) south of Manila.