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Friday, September 02, 2005
Guv: 31 new bombers finished JI training
By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE Jemaah Islamiyah operating a clandestine training school in Liguasan Marsh has just graduated 31 new bombers who are now on their mission to many parts of Mindanao, North Cotabato Governor Emannuel Piñol said.
The governor made this revelation in an interview at the provincial capitol in Amas, Kidapawan in time for the province's 91st founding anniversary Thursday.
"The latest reports indicate that 31 new recruits of JI have completed their training in bombing and that they have been fielded in the different parts of the region to undertake bombing activities," Piñol said.
The governor said the recent explosions and recovery of improvised explosive devices in Kabacan and Koronodal could be the handiwork of these fresh JI graduates.
Piñol, however, assured the public they are on top of the situation. He said he already placed all police stations all over the province on heightened alert status.
"The Cotabato anti-crime task force is on top of the situation and supported by the PNP and the Army. We are actually involving the citizenry in the effort to prevent the outbreak of violence," Piñol said.
The other day, a security official from the government likened Mindanao to a "terrorist academy" with JI trainees taught how to make bombs, plant them, then set them off in test missions designed to help militants perfect their techniques to complete the course.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the secretive nature of the information, said JI militants appear to be continuously testing new designs and explosives mixtures.
Previously, armed groups in the country, especially Abu Sayyaf rebels, had relied on simple hand and rocket-propelled grenades to attack civilian targets.
A number of recent bombs--pieced together from fragments found at attack sites or recovered from rebel hideouts--carry JI's signature: the use of electronics, including Indonesian-designed integrated circuit boards, and cell phones that allow more efficiency and flexibility as triggers, according to several investigation reports seen by AP.
Local militants--many young peasants with limited schooling--appear to be struggling with the new technology. Blunders have fouled up some attacks, including a homemade bomb that prematurely exploded in a backpack two years ago, killing the rebel toting it.
Filipino militants have not yet undertaken suicide missions, although there is evidence that they have acquired knowledge to make body-worn explosives and truck and car bombs. Car bombs used in an attack at Manila's airport in December 2000 and an airport in southern Cotabato city in February 2003 appear to have been set off by timers, security officials said.
"We call them baby al Qaedas," an official said. "We have no reason to believe that they are already experts."
Security was tight during the 91st founding anniversary celebration of North Cotabato Thursday.
Thousands of Cotabateños trooped to the provincial capitol in Amas, Kidapawan to witness the street dancing competition and the trade fair exhibit there.
Attending the affair yesterday were Vice President Noli de Castro and Cuban Ambassador Jorge Rey Jimenez.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (September 2, 2005 issue)
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