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Monday, October 03, 2005
Sayyaf renews terror threats in Mindanao
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists renewed threats in Mindanao, saying in a letter that they will conduct terror acts from "time to time" and the attacks will likely occur in areas in Southern Mindanao.
The letter, signed Abu Omar and sent recently to local officials and media practitioners, claimed the military's armaments were inferior compared to theirs. Omar, who said he is the group's information officer, said their firearms are being supplied by countries sympathetic to their cause.
"The reasons why law enforcers were not able to perform their duties against crimes are: (1) the lack of duties against crimes; (2) communication facilities; and (3) firearms," Omar's letter further stated.
Abu Omar listed a total of 25 high-powered weapons in their possession that can easily compete with those of the military.
He also boasted of their fast mobility at sea, with the acquisition of a Volvo fiberglass speedboat that just arrived from Malaysia. The boat was acquired using funds from the Jemaah Islamiya (JI) and the al Queda terror networks, Abu Omar said.
The letter bore the letterhead of the Bangsa Moro Republic-Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) breakaway group and had the Abu Sayyaf emblem.
"When compared to us, the JI and al Queda network groups are more advanced when it comes to high-tech military supplies," Abu Omar continued.
Omar enumerated 25 types of high-powered armaments they have in their possession. The letter, observers said, was written by hand. The penmanship was allegedly similar to that in previous letters sent by the Abu Sayyaf group.
A military source disclosed last week that persistent terror threats continue to leak to their intelligence network. These involve terrorist plots to mount massive bomb attacks and liquidation of some high-profile local government officials.
Among those in the Abu Sayyaf target list are Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat, Congressman Erbie Fabian, and Vice Mayor Beng Climaco. Also in the list are local journalists, including a female.
Tight security has been adapted in the city where over a thousand forces are now being deployed from both the police and military to secure October's lengthy festivities highlighting the city's biggest annual fiesta celebration on the 12th. (Sun.Star Zamboanga/Sunnex)
(October 3, 2005 issue)
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Police placed on heightened alert