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VALIANT SHIELD:
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Happenings ::

Happenings

U.S. Rewards Program–Philippines: Deterring Terrorism and Saving Lives
Compiled by Asia-Pacific Defense FORUM Staff

Compiled by Asia-Pacific Defense FORUM staff from information provided by Lt. Col. Jon Guarco, USMC, assigned to the U.S. Pacific Command; press releases by the U.S. Embassy Manila; and the Rewards for Justice Web site: http://www.rewardsforjustice.net.

The Government of the Philippines and its security forces are working with the U.S. Pacific Command’s (USPACOM) Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG), Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines (JSOTF-P), and the U.S. Embassy in Manila to identify and apprehend terrorists operating in the Philippines. A major part of that effort includes USPACOM’s Rewards Program which operates in conjunction with the U.S. Department of State (DoS) Rewards for Justice Program. These programs reward citizens who provide information and assistance that lead to the capture of terrorists. They also help mobilize the local population to secure the environment, thereby deterring terrorism by encouraging peace and prosperity.

Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) provided funds to its combatant commands, including USPACOM, to set up their own rewards program for information leading to the capture of terrorists. These programs are coordinated through the DoS and the host countries.

Working with Philippine security forces, USPACOM maintains a terrorist wanted list staffed through the Philippine government, the U.S. Embassy in Manila, and U.S. government agencies. The terrorists on this list pose a force protection risk for Philippine citizens, U.S. military forces, U.S. civilians, and U.S. interests in the Philippines. The amount paid for their capture is weighted according to the threat level they pose. With DoS concurrence, the DoD can authorize payments up to $200,000, while Commander, USPACOM can authorize payments up to $50,000 for information leading to the capture of identified terrorists. DoS Rewards for Justice Program offers higher payments for high profile terrorists.

The first step in the rewards process involves the Philippine security forces identifying an informant or informants who provided information leading to the capture of a terrorist. These forces take the information to the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group in the U.S. Embassy, or to JSOTF-P in the South, who investigates further before submitting the information to the U.S. Embassy’s Rewards Working Group. This Working Group usually concurs on the USPACOM suggested reward amount.

The DoS Rewards for Justice Program, which began in 1984, has paid more than $62 million to more than 40 persons worldwide, who have provided information resulting in the apprehension of terrorists or preventing acts of international terrorism. For example, the U.S. Embassy in Manila paid three individuals the equivalent of one million U.S. dollars in October 2004 for providing information that enabled the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to locate Hamsiraji Sali, also known as Jose Ramirez, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) – a terrorist group that kidnapped and murdered Philippine and U.S. citizens. Sali was killed in an ensuing firefight with the AFP.

In 2006, two individuals came forward with information that led to the capture of Ahmed Islam Santos, leader of the terrorist group Rajah Solaiman Movement. Commenting on the bravery of the two citizens during an award ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney said, “They deserve our thanks and our gratitude. They are ordinary people, living ordinary lives, who had the bravery and courage to stand up and say that terrorists will never be accepted. I see that sentiment everywhere in this country.”

Ambassador Kenney also told attendees, “There are, regrettably, those who would threaten peace; those who would destroy lives, would destroy dreams, and would destroy homes.” She cited terrorist attacks in the U.S. in 2001; the sinking of the Super Ferry in Manila in February 2004; and the bombing of a marketplace in Jolo, Southern Philippines, in March 2006. “The one message we must take away from all of these events is that such violence cannot stand. Our citizens and our children deserve to live lives of peace and prosperity. I want to assure all of you here in the Philippines, the United States stands absolutely ready to be your partner in peace and prosperity.”

Ambassador Kenney further noted that the U.S. rewards programs and U.S. training exercises with the Philippine police and military help Philippine security forces combat terrorists. “We also work to build prosperity in [areas of terrorist activity] through our development assistance programs,” she added.

In a separate ceremony in early 2006, a reward of $100,000 was paid to an individual whose information led to the capture of Toting Hanno, an ASG member. Hanno reportedly was involved in the kidnapping of three U.S. citizens in 2002, one of whom was later killed.

High-profile terrorists still at large are two Indonesian terrorists and ASG terrorist Isnilon Hapilon. The two Indonesians, Dulmatin and Umar Patek, are members of Jemaah Islamiyah, a terrorist organization that operates in Indonesia. Both are believed hiding in the Southern Philippines.

A reward of up to $10 million is offered for Dulmatin, who is a senior figure in Jemaah Islamiyah and one of the masterminds behind the 2002 bombings in Bali, Indonesia, which killed 202 people, including seven U.S. citizens. A reward of up to $1 million is offered for Umar Patek, also involved in the bombings in Bali.

A reward of up to $5 million is offered for ASG terrorist Isnilon Hapilon. He has a warrant out for his arrest and has been indicted for conspiracy to kidnap and murder U.S. citizens and military personnel; conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction; damaging and destroying government properties and defense facilities; and providing material support to terrorist organizations.

The U.S. is determined to bring these men to justice for their crimes. Anyone with information on the location of Dulmatin or Patek, or any other terrorist, may contact the Philippine security forces; the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines; any U.S. military commander; any U.S. embassy, mission, or consulate; or the Rewards for Justice staff via e-mail (mail@rewardsforjustice.net) or telephone (+1-800-877-3927).

Through massive advertising campaigns, involving newspapers, brochures, posters, radio and TV broadcasts, and depictions of terrorists on water bottles and match books, the rewards programs have proven highly successful. More than 200 terrorists have been captured or killed since 2002. This effort, along with Philippine and U.S. forces’ medical and civic action projects, has made the Southern Philippines safer and is winning the minds and hearts of the people there.

E-mail: apdforum@apan-info.net