Six foreign terror suspects hunted

Authorities are hunting down at least six suspected foreign terrorists linked to a plot to carry out bombings, kidnappings and suicide attacks nationwide, particularly in Mindanao.

A reliable source from the intelligence community told The STAR yesterday four of the six suspects are Indonesians belonging to the Indonesia-based Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist group.

"If Abu Sayyaf members are the protectors of JI in Mindanao, in Metro Manila terrorists are relying on the members of the Balik Islam," said the source, who is also a veteran intelligence officer.

However, the source said the JI and Abu Sayyaf are wary of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which "sold" their brother Indonesian Rohmat, alias Zaki, to the government.

"So JI and ASG leaders are planning to relocate their camps outside the MILF-controlled areas as they are apprehensive because of the MILF’s ongoing peace talks with the government," the source said.

Zaki was arrested before the Holy Week.

The source said JI and the Abu Sayyaf are planning a "suicide bombing" similar to those carried out by terrorists in other countries.

"The capability (of the members) is there, but nobody would be willing to do it," he said.

The intelligence officer said terrorists would have difficulty recruiting suicide bombers from the Philippines, even with generous offers of money to their families.

"Hindi sa duwag yung mag-suicide bomber, ang inaalala nila baka pag-naiwan nila yung asawa nila, mag-asawa nang iba, ibang lalaki pa raw ang gagamit ng pera nila (Prospective suicide bombers are hesitant that when they die, their wives would remarry and the new husband would spend their money)," he said.

The intelligence officer said kidnappings similar to the snatching of 21 mostly European tourists from the Sipadan island resort off Sabah island in 2000 are also part of the grand design of terrorists in Southeast Asia.

"Their targets are foreigners, who could afford to pay ransom in dollars," the source said. "They would then use the money to (fund) other terrorist activities and buy high-powered firearms and ammunitions."

The intelligence officer said based on intelligence reports, terrorists were supposed to strike during the annual Kadayawan festival in

Davao City from Aug. 17 to 20.

"Terrorists believe that Kadayawan Festival is the best opportunity to effect terrorist activities," the source said.

"They expect to inflict maximum damage, achieve media exposure as international as well as local tourists are expected to attend the festival," he said.

Terrorists are in dire need of funds after government agents intercepted millions of dollars in "hot money" during an operation last December, the source said.

Government authorities learned about the presence of the suspected terrorists following the twin bombings in Zamboanga City last Aug. 10, in which 26 persons were injured.