Security exec warns of JI reprisal attacks in Mindanao

From the Daily Tribune (Jun 30): Security exec warns of JI reprisal attacks in Mindanao

Jemaah Islamiyah-linked bomb expert Basit Usman is plotting “car bombings” in key cities in Mindanao to avenge the killing of two of his men and the arrest of his wife during a military operation in Maguin-danao earlier this month.

A senior security official, who asked not to be named, warned that aside from Davao City, which was particularly identified as among the targets, the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato and Iligan are now also being closely guarded.

“He (Usman) is planning to make revenge, he has plans to conduct bombings on key cities in Mindanao,” the official said.

Among the attacks supposedly being planned by Usman’s group are “car bombings.”

But the official maintained that there is no indicator of any presence of terrorists in Davao City.

“There are no specific targets…their (plan) is to use car bomb,” the official said.

Earlier this month, the military raided a lair of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, where troops stumbled upon Usman, a bomb expert linked to JI and Abu Sayyaf group and included in the United States list of most wanted terrorist with $500,000 reward.

During the military operation, two of Usman’s companions were killed while four women, one of them his wife, were arrested and turned over to civilian authorities in Maguindanao.

All police units in Mindanao were subsequently alerted after government security forces raised terror threat in Region 11, particularly in Davao City.

Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, information officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP), in a statement, said the raising of the alert level status was prompted by reports “with high reliability” of possible terrorist threat in Davao City.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), however, refused to reveal specific details regarding the terror threat.

“Information received with high reliability, revealed a possible terrorist threat to the peace and security in Region 11, particularly in Davao City,” Sindac said.

“We could not, however, divulge any further details of said reports received so as not to compromise ongoing security operations by both the PNP and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) in these areas,” he added.

According to Sindac, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II ordered all police units in Mindanao to be on alert.

“All police forces in Mindanao have already been alerted by DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, through the PNP High Command, to beef up security operations against possible infiltration of suspected members of said reported threat groups,” said Sindac.

“Similarly, all six Police Regional Offices in Mindanao remain on constant alert conditions to ensure their operational readiness and capabilities to respond to all possible contingencies,” he added.

Sindac said security forces in these areas will be initiating preemptive security measures in the form of aggressive foot and mobile patrols, conduct of intensified checkpoints and gun check operations, including rigid inspections in land, sea and air transport terminals, commercial centers, places of convergence and vital installations.
“These measures are designed to harden possible soft targets of opportunity,” he said.

“Police units are under instructions to, as much as possible, minimize any inconvenience to the public and that this was no cause for alarm especially for the people in Region 11 and other parts of Mindanao since the measures being undertaken by our security forces in the area were simply to be more proactive and preemptive to these reports,” Sindac added.

The PNP called on the public to coordinate with government authorities to thwart the threat.

“We urge everyone to give us any information that would be of help to the police and to our ongoing security operations,” said Sindac.

“Despite the situation, the Philippine National Police assures our fellowmen of our continued vigilance against all these reported threats. Let us not allow this to affect our lives or decide our fate,” he added.

For its part, the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), which has jurisdiction over Davao City, assured there is enough security forces to secure the city.

“We have more than enough forces to secure Davao City and its neighboring towns and communities. Task Force Davao and the PNP are in charge of the security of the City and its people,” said Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, commander of Eastmincom.

“Threats to the thriving City and its communities are always a daily challenges that your AFP and PNP in Davao are always ready to respond to its occurrence,” Cruz added.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/security-exec-warns-of-jireprisal-attacks-in-mindanao