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Sunday, March 06, 2005
Lacson: 26 foreign terrorists in RP
MANILA -- At least 26 members of the Southeast Asian terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah led by its trainers Mujair al-Ghozi and Abdulkiran Nawaz allegedly arrived in Mindanao last January 5.
Opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson revealed this Saturday as he urged the government to dig deeper to determine the truth about the alleged links of JI to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Mujair is reportedly a brother of Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi, the main suspect in the Rizal Day bombings in 2000. Fathur was captured in 2001 but managed to escape from a high-security prison in Camp Crame several months after.
In 2003, Fathur was killed in a military operation.
Lacson said an intelligence report on the arrival of the foreign terrorists reached his office.
The same report also revealed that the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has forged ties with the JI.
Lacson said the alleged foreign terrorists are in Camp Mangaturing in Upper Minabay, Buldon and Kapatagan in Lanao del Sur, to train local terrorists.
He also said the intelligence report also said the MILF, which is now in the midst of peace talks with the government, allegedly facilitated the movement of al-Ghozi, Nawaz and their companions.
The PNP earlier revealed the JI is allegedly supporting terrorist groups in the country and they are given a monetary reward for every terrorist attack they conduct.
Lacson urged the government to show strong political will in dealing with terrorists, especially after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has rejected calls for a ceasefire in Sulu.
He commended the President for her decision to reject calls for a ceasefire in Sulu until the last terrorist there is arrested or killed. (JPM)
(March 6, 2005 issue)
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