Senior RSM leader linked to bombing plot nabbed in Basilan

A Muslim convert linked to the extremist Rajah Sulaiman Movement (RSM) suspected of plotting a series of bombings in key cities across the country was arrested at his hideout in Basilan, the military said yesterday.

Ustadz Abubakar, formerly known as Feliciano de los Reyes, was arrested Thursday by combined Marines and military intelligence operatives while trying to escape from his hideout in Barangay Matibay, Lamitan.

Marines spokesman Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan said Abubakar is a ranking leader of the RSM, a group whose members are Islam converts espousing a holy war.

Abubakar was arrested based on a warrant issued by the Tarlac Regional Trial Court, Caculitan said.

Abubakar was among the six RSM founders who were earlier arrested by police in a raid at their hideout in Anda, Pangasinan.

He was detained along with Hilarion Ahmad Santos, leader of the Balik Islam extremist group, on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

After six months in detention, Abubakar posted bail but has been hiding ever since.

Santos, who also jumped bail, was arrested in November 2005 in Zamboanga City.

Intelligence officials have said the RSM poses a major security threat to the country and has plotted terror attacks along with the Abu Sayyaf.

The RSM helped the Abu Sayyaf carry out the 2004 firebombing of SuperFerry 14 near Manila that killed over 100 people and the Valentine’s Day bomb attacks in Makati City and the simultaneous bombings of Davao and General Santos City in 2005.

In October 2005, RSM members were arrested and charged with plotting to bomb high-profile targets, including the US embassy.

Intelligence officials warned that RSM members are more dangerous than other Muslim extremists since they can blend in easier.

Meanwhile, an additional Marines contingent has been deployed to beef up troops hunting down the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo.

Marine 1st Brigade commander Col. Cesario Atienza said his troops have been ordered for deployment in Jolo to reinforce government soldiers hunting down Indonesian Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militants Dulmatin and Umar Patek, both given refuge by the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

The military has sent over 5,000 troops to hunt down Dulmatin and Patek, both wanted for their alleged role in the October 2002 bombings in Bali, Indonesia that killed 202 people.

Both Indonesians have been given refuge by Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani in the dense jungles near Patikul in Jolo.

There are about six Army and Marine battalions in Jolo hunting down the two JI militants and the Abu Sayyaf under "Oplan Ultimatum." — With AFP, Lino de la Cruz