Possible jihadist plot vs Pope in PH visit–source

From the Manila Times (Nov 16): Possible jihadist plot vs Pope in PH visit–source

Authorities are monitoring a group of alleged foreign jihadists, believed to have ties with al-Qaeda, which has established terror cells in Luzon and the Visayas preparing for a terror plot during the forthcoming visit of Pope Francis in January 2015.

A reliable source from the Philippine National Police (PNP) told The Manila Times that the two terror cells established by foreign jihadists were identified as the Khilafa Islamiya, with one cell operating in Luzon and the other in the Visayas.

The source added that they were able to locate the Luzon cell of Khilafa Islamiya, which he said, is composed of five members and headed by an Islamic cleric from Bangladesh whom he declined to identify.

“This group is composed mostly of foreigners and they are headed by a cleric from Bangladesh. The other foreigners had just come from Cotabato City where they have trained some militants,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The source described the other foreigners as Arab looking and was allowed entry to the Philippines by immigration authorities because the individual did not have any derogatory record on file. The source refused to divulge the exact location of the terror cell to not compromise the ongoing operation against them.

“They don’t have any pending criminal record. That’s the reason why I cannot give you their names,” the source said.

Nevertheless, the source who had provided vital information in the past said that they will continue monitoring the activities of the said group of foreigners, which they believed were sent here to kill the Pope when he arrives here for a five-day visit in January 2015.

The source added that a non-governmental organization based in the United Kingdom, which is said to have been involved in relief work, is funding the terror cells.

“If you remember the group of Al Jamal Khalifa…this one is also supported financially by an NGO involved in relief and charity works,” the source said as he was referring to the group sent by al-Qaeda in 1995 to assassinate Pope John Paul II.

The same NGO, the source said, still continues to exist but had assumed a different name.

The source added that based on their monitoring, no local militants are involved or will be taking part in the plot to assassinate the Pope when he comes here by January. “No members of the Abu Sayyaf (ASG) are involved in the plot,” the source said.

Most of those who will carry out the task will be foreign jihadists, said the source, who added that  the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) were plotting to assassinate the Pope during one of his overseas travels.

Although the source said earlier that the arrested Abu Sayyaf leader Khair Mundos was said to be involved in the alleged murder plot, Mundos’s role is limited to only scouring the possible route to be taken by Pope Francis during his visit.

In an earlier interview, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said no threats to the life of Pope Francis during have been confirmed or monitored. “As of this moment we have not monitored any plot against the Pope,” Mayor said.

The PNP spokesman said the police are in the thick of security preparations for Pontiff’s visit.

”This (security preparation) will be a whole government approach… the PNP will be in charge on the security aspect of the visit,” Mayor said in a previous interview.

The PNP chief, Director General Alan Purisima announced on Friday the creation of a Task Group that will oversee the security preparations for the coming five-day Papal visit.

Heading the Task Group “Papal Visit 2015” will be Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, the PNP deputy chief for operation and former chief of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO).

http://www.manilatimes.net/breaking_news/possible-jihadist-plot-vs-pope-ph-visit-source/