100 Abus helped MILF fight Marines in Al-Barka, suspect says

One of the four alleged Abu Sayyaf bandits tagged in the beheading of Marines in Basilan said about 100 members of the terror group joined Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in fighting government troops in Al-Barka town last July 10. Buhari Jamiri, the subject of a massive manhunt by authorities in Basilan, has denied involvement in the act as well as links to the terror group. Interviewed from an undisclosed location in Basilan, Jamiri was quoted as saying that the 100 Abu Sayyaf gunmen served as "reinforcements" when the MILF learned that the Marines were close to the latter's territory. The MILF has denied collaborating with the Abu Sayyaf, adding that beheading is not allowed among its members. Buhari, Nurhasan Jamiri, Umair Indama and Suaib Kalibon, were identified in the joint report of the government and the MILF as those who decapitated four of the 10 beheaded Marines. Two witnesses, allegedly a civilian and an MILF member, allegedly saw them beheading and severing body parts of the Marines. Buhari said he used up 80 of his 100 bullets for his M-16 firearm during the three hours that he joined the July 10 melee. He claimed that he was sitting in at a briefing inside the MILF camp when the encounter broke out. The briefing was allegedly held to discuss ways to defend the MILF from the approaching Marines. Buhari said he sought refuge with his cousin, an MILF member, to escape spending time behind bars for the 1991 murder of a former mayor of Tuburan town. He denied involvement in the crime. - GMANews.TV