Repeat of Rizal Day bombings being plotted, says source

The al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah and local Islamic militants are reportedly plotting a repeat of the Dec. 30, 2000 Rizal Day bombings on New Year’s Eve.

A senior anti-terrorism agent said several reports regarding the New Year’s Eve terror plot are now being validated.

"There are disturbing reports about this (bombing plot)," the source said.

However, these reports are yet to be confirmed, the source added.

Twenty-two people were killed and scores maimed or wounded when a Light Railway Transit coach was bombed on Blumentritt station in Manila Dec. 30, 2000.

The carnage was reportedly launched by Indonesian Fathur Roman Al-Ghozi in tandem with homegrown Islamic militants led by Muklis Yunos.

Al-Ghozi was later killed in Mindanao.

Yunos was the former special operations group chief of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

"Information reaching us claimed that some of these JI bombers have already been dispatched to urban centers for their planned attack," the source said.

Asked if Umar Patek and Dulmatin are the brains behind this plot, the source said the two Indonesian bombers most of the time have direct knowledge of any major terrorist bombings anywhere in the country.

The source said the two terrorists, along with Abu Sayyaf chieftain, Khadaffy Janjalani are no longer in Sulu.

"I hope I’m wrong and they do get caught in Sulu so we won’t be worrying that they’re in some other place," he said.

A senior anti-terrorism official confirmed the terror bombing plot in urban centers, but described this as something "old."

The source said the plot has been effectively "neutralized" by a series of anti-terrorism disruption operations, especially in Metro Manila.

"Matagal na iyan at hindi na sila makakilos sa ngayon because of our sustained disruption operations," he said.

But just the same, all agencies involved in anti-terrorism operations are continually assessing the situation on the ground.

The source said an anti-terror meeting to address any possible terror threats will be held ahead of the Rizal Day bombing anniversary.

"We are having an assessment meeting before Rizal Day," he said, assuring the public of a peaceful and joyous New Year celebration.