Thursday, August 09, 2007 AFP junks claims ex-soldiers, cops compose Al-Khobar By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vehemently denied a claim that former soldiers and policemen comprise the extortion group, Al Khobar, contrary to allegations of a group member in an interview over a radio program Monday.
Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman Major Randolph Cabangbang said Al Khobar is mainly composed of Moro guerillas who parted ways with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Cabangbang added some members of Al Khobar are even still in touch with their former superiors. He did not confirm though if these former superiors are in anyway involved in the extortion activity of the Al Khobar.
Cabangbang said the statement of the alleged Al Khobar member in an interview with Bombo Radyo in Koronadal City was meant to mislead police investigation on the series of bus bombings in Central Mindanao.
The Al Khobar member claimed their group is composed of Muslims and Christians.
"We also have members coming from the police and military. They joined us because they are disappointed with the government," the Al Khobar member said in a phone interview with Bombo Radyo.
Bombo Radyo was able to confirm that the man they had interviewed was indeed a member of Al Khobar since he was using the same number that was used in calling the Yellow Bus Line office last August 3 when the group demanded extortion money from the company.
Reports reaching Sun.Star Davao showed that most members of the Al Khobar are disgruntled MILF guerillas who have links with the terror groups Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah.
Cabangbang said Al Khobar is simply a criminal group involved in extortion activities victimizing bus companies plying Mindanao routes, like the YBL and Weena Bus.
He said while some MILF senior officials are suspected to have links with the Al Khobar group, the MILF as an organization is in no way connected with the criminal group.
Cabangbang said granting there are indeed former soldiers and cops in Al Khobar, he is certain these are rogue members of the AFP and the PNP who were dismissed from the service for their criminal acts.
"There is no such thing as ex-police or ex-soldier. If they were booted out, they are plain civilians. The AFP and the PNP did not train them to become terrorists," Cabangbang said.
The Al Khobar member, however, claimed their group is fighting for a "cause". As to what cause that is, he did not elaborate.
