U.S. goes after Philippines terrorist group

The U.S. put $2.5 million on the heads of three members of the Filipino Islamist terrorist group Abu Sayyaf on Tuesday.

A $1 million reward was offered for Abdul Basit Usman, a bomb-making expert for both Abu Sayyaf and Southeast Asian terror organization Jemaah Islamiyah. “U.S. authorities consider Basit to be a threat to U.S. and Filipino citizens and interests,” the State Department said. “He is believed to have orchestrated several bombings that have killed, injured, and maimed many innocent civilians.”

Also with a $1 million bounty on his head is Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron, who is accused in the slayings of several tourists, including one American, kidnapped from a Philippines hotel in May 2001.

The U.S. is offering $500,000 for information leading to the location, arrest and/or conviction of Khair Mundos, a key leader and financier of the Abu Sayyaf.

Abu Sayyaf boasts of connections to al-Qaeda.

The $1 million reward ties with the amount offered by the U.S. for the capture of “Azzam al-Amriki,” better known Orange County al-Qaeda Adam Gadahn. Meanwhile, $10 million is being offered for one-eyed Taliban leader Mullah Omar, and up to $25 million apiece for al-Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri.