Rewards for Justice Pays $10 Million in Philippines’ Ceremony: $5-Million Reward Each Paid for Two Abu Sayyaf Terrorist LeadersBureau of Diplomatic SecurityIsland of Jolo, The Philippines June 7, 2007 U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney distributed rewards to four Filipino citizens in a public ceremony on the island of Jolo today. A group of Filipino citizens, represented by the four present at the ceremony, will share the total reward of $10 million (490 million pesos). This payment is the second-largest payment of its kind by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, the U.S. Department of State’s counterterrorism rewards program. Two notorious high-ranking leaders of the Abu Sayyaf Group, Khadaffy Janjalani and Abu Solaiman, were killed as a result of information provided by Filipino sources. Both terrorists were responsible for the kidnappings and deaths of Filipino and American citizens. Janjalani was killed during a battle with Armed Forces of the Philippines in October 2006, while Abu Solaiman died in similar circumstances in January 2007. Richard J. Griffin, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, said, "RFJ continues to be one of the most valuable tools in the U.S. fight against international terrorism. Countless lives have been saved through information received under this program. We thank the Filipino citizens for their noteworthy diligence and assistance in this critical effort. Together we make a difference." Since its inception, RFJ has paid more than $72 million to more than 50 people who have provided actionable information that has brought terrorists to justice or prevented acts of international terrorism. RFJ’s largest payment of $30 million was made to a source who provided information on the whereabouts of Saddam Hussein’s sons, Uday and Qusay. Uday and Qusay, numbers two and three on the Department of Defense’s list of most wanted former regime elements, were killed in a confrontation with the 101st Airborne Division on July 22, 2003 in the city of Mosul. RFJ’s reward offer of up to $15 million for each of the brothers played a critical role in the acquisition of the information that led to their location. Anyone with information on a past or planned act of international terrorism against U.S. persons or property worldwide, or regarding the location of a key terrorist leader, is urged to contact RFJ directly at the following: www.rewardsforjustice.net (secure online tip form) E-mail: RFJ@state.gov Hotline: 1-800-US-REWARDS (1-800-877-3927) Mail: Rewards for Justice, Washington, DC 20522-0303 In addition, anyone in the United States with information may contact the nearest Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) or FBI field office. Persons located overseas may also contact the Regional Security Office at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Established by the 1984 Act to Combat International Terrorism, RFJ is administered by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, the U.S. Department of State’s law enforcement and security arm. The special agents, engineers, and security professionals of the Bureau are responsible for the security of 285 U.S. diplomatic missions around the world. In the United States, Diplomatic Security personnel protect the U.S. Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States, investigate passport and visa fraud, and conduct personnel security investigations. More information about the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security may be obtained at www.state.gov/m/ds. Contact:
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