The Philippine National Police-Special Action Force was not only after Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan and Filipino bomb maker Basit Usman when it carried out Oplan Exodus in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao on Jan. 25.
They were also after a third target: Malaysian bomb maker Amin Baco alias Jihad.
The third target was mentioned in the exchange of text messages between President Benigno Aquino III and resigned PNP chief Dir. Gen. Alan Purisima.
When Purisima told Aquino about SAF's status in Mamasapano, the President replied, "Are they still in contact with the two other targets? If not and the opposing force has escaped, are we now back in square one?"
Oplan Exodus included a profile or a target analysis of Baco. It said that he was also an expert bomb-maker and a member of Southeast Asian militant terrorist organization Jemaah Islamiyah. He was wanted for kidnapping two people in Sabah, Malaysia.
Security expert Rommel Banlaoi also explained that in the organizational structure of Mindanao-based terrorist group Khilafa Islamiya, Usman is under Marwan, leading a group in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Maguindanao. Meanwhile, Baco is also under Marwan, leading a group in Metro Manila.
[Video report: Malaysian bomber Amin Baco]
Retaliation
Former PNP intelligence officer retired Chief Supt. Rodolfo "Boogie" Mendoza also revealed that he once received reports that Baco was in Manila last year.
"Itong si Amin Baco kasi meron nga tayong na-monitor last year na nandito 'yan. Siyempre cause for concern 'yan kasi hindi naman natin alam kung ano ang misyon niya," he said.
During Oplan Exodus, SAF troopers only managed to kill Marwan before got into a firefight against Moro groups. Usman and Baco remain at large.
Mendoza said that the two terrorists could be in Sulu or even Metro Manila.
"'Yung Isnilon Hapilon (Sulu) na group ay talagang contact nila. Mayroon silang tactical alliances doon. Puwedeng puntahan niya Metro Manila. Kasi in the past, we have monitored Usman here," he said.
Although Marwan is already dead, Mendoza reminded to practice constant vigilance as his comrades like Usman and Baco may be brewing on something to get the confidence of their foreign donors.
"Kasi kung hindi sila kikilos, magiging dormant sila. Siyempre 'yung attempt nila na kumonekta o mag-align sa ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) will be put into questionable situation. Bakit hindi sila makagalaw? Maaapektuhan ang funding request nila," he said.
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