THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, that it has uncovered an alleged attack plot of Hamas, a Middle East-based group against Israelis and Arabs in the Philippines.
PNP director for intelligence Major General Michael Dubria said Hamas is recruiting Filipinos who will carry out the attack. It was revealed to the police by a local contact of Hamas.
“Our Filipino source identified the Hamas operative as Bashir who was reportedly attempting to establish foothold in the Philippines with pledges of financial support to some local threat groups, including militant extremists with links to the international terrorist organizations,” PNP Intelligence Group Director Brigadier General Neil Alinsangan told Dubria.
The tipster identified Fares Al Shikli, head of Hamas’ foreign liaison section, as the one who is talking to possible Filipino recruits.
Dubria said Shikli has an outstanding Interpol Red Notice and is charged with an Offense of Terrorism Logistic Support.
The source, according to Dubria, made several trips to Malaysia from 2016 to 2018 and met with Shikli to discuss the possibility of mounting attacks.
“Accordingly, it was in 2016 that Fares Al Shikli started grooming him as a local contact in the Philippines and introduced to him theoretical bomb-making training in one of their meetings in Malaysia. Late 2017, Fares Al Shikli expressed his intention with the source to recruit Filipinos with links to local threat groups that will be utilized to kill Jews present in the country, conduct rallies at selected embassies and spread a video propaganda in exchange of financial support,” Dubria said.
In January 2018, a chemist with knowledge on explosives and closely affiliated with Hamas was arrested in Pampanga. He was then deported to Turkey before the Bureau of Immigration.
Dubria said this is a stern warning to all terrorist groups that plan to conduct recruitment and similar activities in the country.
“We have a way to know you and you cannot do your plans here because the PNP and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), through the active support of the community, are working together to preempt your devious plans,” he said. (SunStar Philippines)