THE group of Ameril Umbra Kato, the former commander of the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front who joined forces with Southeast Asian terror
network Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), is planning to carry out
wide-scale terror attacks not only in Mindanao but also in Metro Manila, an MILF insider said on Thursday.
According to the source, who refused to be named for security reasons, Kato’s 5,000-strong Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) is in close contact with JI leader Abdul Basit Usman, a high-profile bomber long wanted by the Philippine government.
Kato established the BIFF after he broke away from the MILF. He was officially kicked out by the MILF after he refused to heed calls to reconcile with MILF chairman Murad Ibrahim.
The renegade commander is facing arrest for multiple murder, 15 counts of arson, nine counts of attempted murder, and 26 counts of frustrated murder and robbery.
Reports said that the recent bomb attacks in central Mindanao, particularly the explosion in Cotabato City that allegedly targeted Gov. Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu of Maguindanao province and Sec. Jesse Robredo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, were the handiwork of the BIFF and JI.
The source said that Usman had been training young recruits on making bombs. Some of the “graduates” had been sent on several missions to blow up targets such as vital government installations in Mindanao and Luzon. Economic hubs in Manila were said to be the priority target of the terror group.
These recruits, the insider added, have planted bombs in undisclosed areas, waiting for orders to detonate them.
A terror expert from Singapore said on Wednesday that the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was the biggest threat to security and stability in the country since it was also collaborating with the JI.
Prof. Rohan Gunarathna, who heads the management staff of the International Center for Political Violence and Terrorism in Singapore, revealed that the ASG planned to launch terror attacks in Metro Manila and Mindanao with the help of JI.
“There are still about a dozen Indonesian and Malaysian terrorists still operating in the Sulu archipelago. They are planning and preparing terrorist attacks. They are working together with Abu Sayyaf to conduct terrorist attacks,” Gunarathna said.
“The only way we can fight terrorism effectively is if there is great cooperation and collaboration between the militaries, law enforcement agencies and the intelligence services,” he added
Maj. Gen. Francisco Cruz, Armed Forces deputy chief of staff for intelligence, said that they have identified at least four terrorists still operating in the country, but he did not elaborate.
Arrest Kato
According to the source, who refused to be named for security reasons, Kato’s 5,000-strong Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) is in close contact with JI leader Abdul Basit Usman, a high-profile bomber long wanted by the Philippine government.
Kato established the BIFF after he broke away from the MILF. He was officially kicked out by the MILF after he refused to heed calls to reconcile with MILF chairman Murad Ibrahim.
The renegade commander is facing arrest for multiple murder, 15 counts of arson, nine counts of attempted murder, and 26 counts of frustrated murder and robbery.
Reports said that the recent bomb attacks in central Mindanao, particularly the explosion in Cotabato City that allegedly targeted Gov. Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu of Maguindanao province and Sec. Jesse Robredo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, were the handiwork of the BIFF and JI.
The source said that Usman had been training young recruits on making bombs. Some of the “graduates” had been sent on several missions to blow up targets such as vital government installations in Mindanao and Luzon. Economic hubs in Manila were said to be the priority target of the terror group.
These recruits, the insider added, have planted bombs in undisclosed areas, waiting for orders to detonate them.
A terror expert from Singapore said on Wednesday that the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was the biggest threat to security and stability in the country since it was also collaborating with the JI.
Prof. Rohan Gunarathna, who heads the management staff of the International Center for Political Violence and Terrorism in Singapore, revealed that the ASG planned to launch terror attacks in Metro Manila and Mindanao with the help of JI.
“There are still about a dozen Indonesian and Malaysian terrorists still operating in the Sulu archipelago. They are planning and preparing terrorist attacks. They are working together with Abu Sayyaf to conduct terrorist attacks,” Gunarathna said.
“The only way we can fight terrorism effectively is if there is great cooperation and collaboration between the militaries, law enforcement agencies and the intelligence services,” he added
Maj. Gen. Francisco Cruz, Armed Forces deputy chief of staff for intelligence, said that they have identified at least four terrorists still operating in the country, but he did not elaborate.
Arrest Kato
The military, meanwhile, said that it was ready to capture Kato, who is facing a string of criminal charges in connection with a series of attacks that he led after the failed signing of the Muslim homeland deal in 2008 between the MILF and the government.
The Supreme Court ruling declaring the accord unconstitutional triggered deadly attacks by Kato’s forces in Mindanao.
According to Col. Noel dela Cruz, a spokesman for the Army’s Sixth Infantry Division, the military knows where Kato is hiding, but cannot arrest him because he is inside an MILF stronghold.
“We know where he’s hiding, but cannot do anything unless the MILF helps us in capturing Kato,” he said.
The MILF said that it was willing to help in the military operation against Kato and could provide forces to block all entry and exit points around his hideout.
“The ad hoc joint action group of the MILF and government peace panels can discuss on how to go about the operation. The MILF is willing to assist the Philippine government in this operation,” MILF spokesman Von Al-Haq said.
Just this month, Kato’s forces clashed with MILF rebels in Maguindanao’s Datu Piang town, leaving four people dead. The groups have previously clashed over a piece of land in the province.
Malacañang, however, insisted that there is no terror threat in Metro Manila.
Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that there was no specific threat and that information regarding terror threats were being confirmed not just by Philippine officials, but also by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
“There’s information sharing on many levels, national intelligence levels of countries of among Asean,” Lacierda told reporters.
Meanwhile, the Australian government also on Thursday advised its citizens to be cautious while in the Philippines because of the possibility of terror attacks.
In its September 29 travel advisory posted on its website, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that terror attacks “can occur anytime, anywhere, including in Manila.”
“We continue to receive credible reports indicating terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets in a variety of locations, including places frequented by foreigners,” it added.
Deemed to be terrorist targets are shopping malls, markets, embassies, expatriate housing complexes, hostels, guest houses, clubs, hotels and restaurants, fastfood outlets, bars and pubs, cinemas, convention centers, places of worship, schools, public transports, tourist areas, festivals, outdoor creation and major sporting events.
The Australian government also advised their citizens to take extra caution while in airports, roads, seaports and military facilities.
Source: Manila Times
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