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Saturday, September 03, 2005
City prepares for JI bombers out to sow terror
By Ben O. Tesiorna and Joy G. Romares
DAVAO CITY -- Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte ordered police and military personnel in Davao City to immediately neutralize 31 Jemaah Islamiya new recruits who are allegedly on bombing missions in Mindanao.
The mayor said terrorists, like drug pushers, are considered legal targets for summary executions.
"I consider them (terrorists) as legitimate targets for extra-judicial assassination," Duterte said without batting an eyelash.
North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Piñol earlier said the bombers had just graduated from a clandestine training school in Liguasan Marsh.
Davao City has tightened security following confirmation that six local JI members were on bombing missions in Mindanao.
Six terrorists
Davao City Police Office Director Catalino Cuy said they have sent out information about the six JI members and their photos have been distributed all throughout Mindanao.
He said the six entered the city just before the Kadayawan Festival from the northern part of Cotabato.
Cuy refused to reveal their names.
A security official earlier 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 them perfect their techniques.
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.
Mobile searches
Master Sergeant Lito Moratin, assigned at the 5th Civil Relations Group of the military in Camp Panacan, earlier said there are threats from terrorists group but that they are coordinating with the police in the conduct of mobile checkpoints and foot patrol.
Moratin added that the mobile searches are being conducted in the exit and entrance points of the city.
He added that they are also monitoring intelligence reports not only in Davao City but also in General Santos City since they are also receiving threats that terrorists will attack there.
New recruits
"The latest report 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 attributed to the fresh JI graduates.
Piñol, however, assured the public they are on top of the situation. He said he has placed all police stations in the province on heightened alert status.
"The Cotabato anti-crime task force is on top of the situation with the support of the police and the military. We are actually involving the citizenry in the effort to prevent the outbreak of violence," Piñol said.
(September 3, 2005 issue)
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