‘Metro bomb plot foiled with arrest of Sayyaf leader’

Authorities said yesterday they have arrested a key leader of the Abu Sayyaf, foiling in the process a plot linked to terrorist leader Osama bin Laden to sow terror in Metro Manila.

However, Senior Superintendent Jaime Karingal, Philippine National Police deputy intelligence chief, said they have not yet established any links between Mohammed Faisal Ijajil and foreign terrorist groups.

"We have not seen any connection," he said.

Karingal said documents police seized from Ijajil showed that the Mindanao-based Abu Sayyaf was preparing to destabilize Metro Manila with terrorist attacks.

"With his arrest, we preempted their plans to conduct bombing operations in the metropolis," he said

Army vice commander Brig. Gen. Arsenio Tecson told a press conference Ijajil was arrested in a safehouse in Sampaloc, Manila last Sept. 18 while plotting to "conduct bombing operations."

Ijajil was arrested based on a warrant issued by a Basilan regional trial court judge, which is hearing a murder case filed against him, he added.

Tecson said Ijajil carried a P1-million bounty on his head at the time of his arrest and that the military has reason to believe that he heads an Abu Sayyaf cell in Metro Manila.

"Together with Musnar Asanin, they are particularly concerned with the maintenance of the Manila-Basilan ASG material pipeline as well as in the collection of intelligence in the metropolis," he said.

Lt. Col. Jose Mabanta, Army spokesman, said Ijajil had taken part in the raid and burning of Ipil town in Zamboanga del Sur in April 1995.

Meanwhile, a former PNP intelligence chief said yesterday Bin Laden is supporting the Abu Sayyaf with manpower as part of his plan to spread "Islamic extremism" worldwide.

"He has no special interest in the country but maintains his line with the ASG for much needed manpower resources to fight alongside him if necessary," said the police official, who requested anonymity. "He has no nation or country to speak of but Muslim zealots worldwide."

The official said Mindanao has been a "rich source of warm bodies" for Bin Laden to send to Afghanistan for combat training and studies on terrorist activities.

"Intelligence reports reaching my office when I was IG chief then showed that there were about 50 to 100 Muslim fighters who underwent training and actual combat alongside Bin Laden during the Afghan War," the official said.

The official said the International Islamic Research Organization (IRRO) is a most active non-government organization that was established in Mindanao by Bin Laden’s brother-in-law, Muhamad Jamal Khalifa.

"We have reason to believe that the IRRO is currently being used to channel information and support from the local terrorists on one hand and Bin Laden’s al Qaeda on the other hand," the official said.

In Basilan, five Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed as government troops inched closer to the bandits’ lair in Mt. Puno Mohadji in Sampinit Complex to rescue American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and the Filipino hostages.

Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, Southern Command chief, said: "We are now in the strengthening stage of our forces in central Sampinit. This is a wise game — we have to shift strategy."

Marine Maj. Arimao Gambao, commander of the unit that clashed with the Abu Sayyaf, said his men are "extracting information" from the captured bandits to allow them to know the movement of the group holding the hostages.

Gambao said he cannot give reporters their names as they are still undergoing interrogation by intelligence officers.

However, Col. Renato Miranda, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade and Task Force Thunder, said he has a "gut-feel" that within one week they can rescue the hostages.– With Jaime Laude, Roel Pareño