Rajah Solaiman Movement members gathering in Bataan - intel report

From InterAksyon (Dec 4): Rajah Solaiman Movement members gathering in Bataan - intel report

Militants belonging to the Rajah Solaiman Movement, which has been tagged in past terrorist activity, have been monitored gathering in Bataan province, a month before Pope Francis’ visit to the country in January, an intelligence report said.

The report, a copy of which was seen by InterAksyon.com, indicated that members of the RSM, which is composed of Muslim converts, could be planning a major operation in the coming weeks.

"RSM members have gathered and may be planning something big," the report reports, although it did not say if the gathering is connected to Pope Francis’ January 15-19 visit to the country.

Last September, the Islamic State was reported to have threatened to assassinate the pontiff on one of his foreign trips. However, police say they have not monitored any specific threat against the pontiff at this time.

The Philippine National Police has formed Task Force Papal Visit 2015, headed by Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, chief of operations, to provide security to the Pope.

The RSM, founded in the mid-90s, is among the local militant groups that have pledged allegiance to IS.

Members of the group have been linked to the 2004 bombing of the Superferry 14 in Manila Bay, in which more than a hundred persons died, and the 2005 Valentine’s Day bombings.

Several members of the group, including founder Ahmed Santos, have been captured by government forces. In October, RSM member and two companions were arrested for a traffic violation in Quezon City.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/100500/rajah-solaiman-movement-members-gathering-in-bataan---intel-report