Indonesian embassy wants more access to JI suspect

DAVAO CITY – Officials of the Indonesian embassy are seeking more access to Mohammad Baehakki, the suspected Jemaah Islamiyah leader who was arrested in a joint police-military raid in Davao Oriental last Feb. 17.

“We hope to be given more time to be able to speak to Baehakki. We wish to talk to him some more,” said F. Bernard Loesi, Indonesian vice consul based in this city.

Loesi told The STAR that authorities have confirmed Baehakki to be an Indonesian national, and that the Jakarta police has said that he, indeed, plays a important role in the JI movement.

“Our authorities wish to talk to Baehakki more because we could get more (information) from him about the movement itself,” Loesi said.

Loesi said Baehakki has a wealth of information on the strength and activities of the JI not only in Indonesia but also in other parts of Southeast Asia.

Baehakki, 26, reportedly arrived in the Philippines in 2003 and was said to have immersed well with other Indonesians – numbering more than 7,000 – living in various parts of Southern Mindanao.

Loesi said Philippine authorities have a way of extracting information from Baehakki, said to be the liaison for JI operations in Central and Southern Mindanao

“But maybe we can also help to get more information from him,” Loesi said.

A bilateral defense agreement reportedly exists between the Philippines and Indonesia, which includes sharing of vital information, particularly on terrorism.

Baehakki used the aliases of Tatoh, Salman and Latif while moving around Mindanao.

He was arrested on the basis of a warrant issued by Kidapawan City Judge Francis Palmones Jr.

Baehakki is facing multiple murder charges for his alleged involvement in the October 2006 bombing in Makilala, North Cotabato that claimed 10 lives.

Baehakki was arrested together with Cabiza Generoso and Mohar Abais Generoso, who were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives seized from them during the Feb. 17 raid.

Authorities said Baehakki was preparing to launch another terrorist attack in Southern Mindanao prior to his arrest.

Also seized from him were a number of cellular phones, a laptop and other electronic devices.