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Friday, April 28, 2006
Explosives seized in terrorist hideout in Marikina
POLICE confiscated on Thursday a cache of explosives that were supposed to be used by a terrorist group Abu Sayyaf in disrupting the planned anti-government protest rallies coinciding with the Labor Day on Monday.
The explosives that included five fragmentation grenades, blasting caps and an undetermined amount of explosive material were seized from a safe house along Champaca Street in SSS Village, Marikina City.
Asher Dolina, chief of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) for Metro Manila, said Abu Sayyaf rebels abandoned the supposed terrorist safe house when they swooped down at 9 a.m. Thursday
"These bombs are ready for detonation. The grenades could easily be thrown at the crowds on May 1. That is our analysis. We really have to run after these bandits so we can foil their plan," Dolina said.
"These are not intended for buildings. These are intended for the crowds," he added of the explosives that are now under the custody of the CIDG for safekeeping. Also seized from the safe house were documents, which are undergoing "intelligence processing".
An Abu Sayyaf cell composed of about 10 used to stay in the safe house, police said. ""They are just awaiting orders from their leaders. Two to three days before the attack, they will receive instructions on how to carry out their plans," said Dolina.
Dolina said investigators were yet to establish if the planned bombing and disruption of the May 1 protest rallies were hatched in coordination with the Southeast Asian regional terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah.
Various sectors have committed to hold numerous rallies to greet the Labor Day and press for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is hounded by charges of rigging the results of the 2004 elections.
Top military officials have warned that rightist and leftist groups may execute another plot to grab power on May 1. They said that once a critical mass is reached, a faction within their ranks may withdraw support from the President. (VR/Sunnex)
(April 28, 2006 issue)
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