Foreign jihadists set up cell in Bataan - intelligence source

From InterAksyon (Nov 29): Foreign jihadists set up cell in Bataan - intelligence source



File image from a video of Abdul Basit Usman swearing allegiance to the Islamic State

Foreign jihadists, believed to be Syrian, have allegedly established a terror cell in Bataan province, a police intelligence officer said on Saturday.

The source, who is based in Camp Crame and has provided reliable information in the past on condition he not be identified, said the foreigners had just come from training militants in Cotabato in bomb making.

"They have established a cell there in Bataan," the intelligence officer said. "What's important here is to locate the Syrians … where are they now."

If the source’s information is accurate, the Bataan group would be at least the third alleged terrorist cell monitored to have been established ahead of the visit of Pope Francis to the country from January 15 to 19 next year, although the Philippine National Police has repeatedly said it has not monitored any specific threat to the pontiff.

Earlier, the source said members of the Khilafa Islamiya Movement have put up two cells, one each in the Visayas and Luzon.

The source admitted they have scant information about the cell in the Visayas, but said the group in Luzon is headed by a cleric from Bangladesh and includes four other foreigners.

However, he added, "I cannot give you their names since they don't have any derogatory records."

Earlier reports also said Abdul Basit Usman, a Filipino trained in bomb making by the Jemaah Islamiya network and who has since sworn allegiance to the Islamic State, has deployed a 15-man team to Luzon.

Usman has reportedly formed the Bangsamoro Justice Movement from former members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

The PNP has formed Task Force Papal Visit 2015 to ensure the safety and security of Pope Francis. The unit is headed by Deputy Director Leonardo Espina, the PNP’s operations chief, who once headed the National Capital Region Police Office.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/100160/foreign-jihadists-set-up-cell-in-bataan---intelligence-source