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Saturday, December 15, 2007
Police say Sayyafs targeting foreigners anew
MANILA -- Terrorist group Abu Sayyaf is again eyeing foreigners, including US servicemen stationed in Mindanao, for a new round of terror attack and kidnap-for-ransom activities.
This prompted the Special Monitoring Committee of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (Nica) to maintain its level three threat forecast for the month of December.
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Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Avelino Razon Jr. has directed the police force in Mindanao to review, update, and implement the three-tiered defense system of the PNP to preempt the bandit group's plan to attack the public, including foreign nationals.
Razon ordered his commanders in Mindanao to maintain vigilance against possible attack from terrorist groups and to put up more checkpoints and chokepoints to prevent the movement of partisan armed groups and the transport of weapons.
Nica recommended that for the month of December, appropriate security measures must be laid down, particularly on the transport sector, to prevent a repeat of the Rizal Day bombing of Land Rail Transit (LRT) in 2000 and the foiled Christmas Eve bus bombing by Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM) members in 2004.
"With respect to the assignment and recommendations of Nica for December, I have ordered all my regional directors in Mindanao as well as in the entire country to undertake maximum security coverage and public safety services including the continuous implementation of the Three-Tiered Defense System of the PNP and hardening of potential targets like power plants, telecommunication relay stations, and places frequented by the general public such as malls, bus stations and other areas vulnerable to terrorist activities," said Razon.
The Special Monitoring Committee of Nica said it maintained its level three (high) threat forecast for Mindanao due to the continuing threat posed by the Al-Khobar group, the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and its proxies.
The ASG, said Nica, is eyeing foreigners and prominent personalities for their kidnap-for-ransom activities in Zamboanga City and Basilan presumably to replenish its depleted resources.
The bandits were monitored trying to procure US army uniforms to get near and strike at US personnel stationed in Mindanao, Nica's report added.
"The resurgence of ASG's plan to hit western targets, specifically US forces in Mindanao is a clear indication of its attempt to appeal for help from anti-US sympathetic groups or individuals for logistical and financial support," Nica said.
Reports that reached the Special Monitoring Committee also disclosed that the Al-Khobar group has expanded its extortion activities to the owners of the shuttle buses and ferryboats in Davao City.
In Metro Manila, Nica has downgraded the threat level to moderate after a brief rise to level three in the aftermath of the Batasan bombing last November 13. (VR/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (December 15, 2007 issue)
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