PNP probing links of Bin Laden brod-in-law to local terror groups

The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Central Luzon is now looking into the possible link between Osama bin Laden’s brother-in-law Muhammad Jamal Khalifa and the terrorist cells — believed to be part of the al-Qaeda network — recently raided by combined police and military agents in the region.

A ranking PNP official privy to the operations said investigators are trying to find the connection between the Madrasah (Islamic school) in Barangay Malong in Anda, Pangasinan and the other schools and non-government organizations which Khalifa funded during his stay in the country several years ago.

"We are still gathering evidence to prove that these organizations were funded by Khalifa. Only then can we go a step further in determining the links of these local terror cells to Bin Laden’s al-Qaeda international terror network," the ranking senior official, who asked not to be named, told The STAR.

The official added that the PNP is gathering documentary evidence and relevant information that could establish the nature of the "Haraka" organization and the connection of its alleged founder, Sheik Hamod, with the terror network in the Philippines and nearby Southeast Asian countries.

Khalifa and Haraka’s alleged leader, Sheik Hamod, are both Saudi nationals.

Joint police and military intelligence operations led to the arrest of six suspected mujahedeens in Pangasinan and two more in Tarlac last week. The operations also yielded voluminous documents and several high-powered firearms.

Shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks in the US last year, Philippine military officials released a chart that traced Bin Laden’s apparent vast influence in the country through Khalifa.

Military officials noted that Khalifa substantially supported local fundamentalist groups such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Abu Sayyaf.

"Khalifa stayed in the country for several years until 1994, establishing Islamic NGOs and business networks under the guise of extending help to the Muslim people," the military report said.

Central Luzon police director Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Berroya revealed last weekend that the MILF and al-Qaeda have put up terror cells in the region.

Berroya said the PNP uncovered the well-organized and highly compartmentalized terror network after the killing of Khalid Trinidad and the capture of Omar Mayumo (aka Dexter Mayumo) in Tarlac City on May 1.

Documents seized from the two led the police to the Madrasah center in Pangasinan, allegedly headed by Ahmad Santos. At least six alleged mujahedeens were arrested in that raid.

Police also raided an alleged terrorist training base in Sitio Dueg and Sitio Babaelan, Barangay Maasin, San Clemente, Tarlac, resulting in the arrest of two other men. Also seized were several high-powered firearms, ammunition and Islamic propaganda materials.

Meanwhile, reports from Camp Gen. Oscar Florendo in Pangasinan said the police seized yesterday more military hardware from the suspected terrorist camp that was uncovered by government troops in the remote barangay of Malong, Anda, Pangasinan.

Chief Superintendent Art Lomibao, PNP director for the Ilocos Region, said the six arrested suspects admitted to police probers they were indeed in the process of constructing a terrorist training camp in the area.

Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Mendoza, Pangasinan police director, said the supposed training camp for terrorists already has several outposts and foxholes on 18 hectares of land owned by Dawud Santos.

Santos was one of those arrested by government troops, along with Pio Abogne de Vera, Marcelo Cenar Egil, Allan "Al Hakim" Barlagdaton, Redendo Cain Dellosa alias Habil Akmad Dellosa, and Angelito Trinidad alias Aris. — With reports from Benjie Villa, Myds Supnad, Eva de Leon