Neutralised: Abdelhakim reacting when a rifle grenade is shown by prosecutors during proceedings at the Department of Justice in Manila. — AP
KOTA KINABALU: A Spaniard arrested by Philippine troops for involvement with the Abu Sayyaf militant group was trying to make contact with Malaysian fugitive Amin Bacho.
An intelligence source said 20-year-old Abdelhakim Labidi Adib was hoping to meet with Amin to learn how to make improvised explosive devices as he wanted to be an active member of the militant group, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS).
An intelligence source said 20-year-old Abdelhakim Labidi Adib was hoping to meet with Amin to learn how to make improvised explosive devices as he wanted to be an active member of the militant group, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS).
“We believe the Spaniard could not meet Amin, who has been constantly on the move after escaping from the Marawi City siege late last year,” the source said.
The source said Amin is believed to be moving between Abu Sayyaf strongholds on Basilan Island and Jolo Island in southern Philippines.
The Spaniard, who is of Tunisian descent, was caught carrying grenades and bomb-making equipment on Jan 24 at a Philippine army checkpoint on Basilan island.
The source said Amin is believed to be moving between Abu Sayyaf strongholds on Basilan Island and Jolo Island in southern Philippines.
The Spaniard, who is of Tunisian descent, was caught carrying grenades and bomb-making equipment on Jan 24 at a Philippine army checkpoint on Basilan island.
However, his Filipino accomplice managed to escape.
Philippine special forces commanding office in Basilan, Capt Exequel Panti, described Labidi Adib as a sympathiser and ardent supporter of the move to establish an Islamic caliphate in the Philippines.
The arrest came amid ongoing military operations to mop up the remnants of IS involved in last year’s siege of Marawi City that saw several Malaysians, including lecturer-turned-militant Dr Mahmud Ahmad, killed when the military recaptured the city.
Tawau native Amin, who was a member of the Darul Islamiah Sabah that followed Dr Mahmud after he teamed up with slain Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, has remained under the radar since his escape from Marawi City.
Abu Jamil
The intelligence sources said that Amin took his 13-year-old son and the son of Abu Jamil, another dead militant from Sabah, to a safe area in southern Philippines before returning to Jolo.
“Both his son and Jamil’s son were in Marawi. They (children) were not part of the fighting but followed their fathers. Jamil’s son is now under Amin’s care,” the source said.
“We sometimes get information (of his whereabouts) but it remains just talk,” the source said, adding that Amin was not senior enough to take over IS in the Philippines as claimed by some security analysts.
The source explained that any successor to Isnilon Hapilon has to be a respected member of Abu Sayyaf and a Filipino.
“They will not accept a non-Filipino to lead them,” the source added.
Philippine special forces commanding office in Basilan, Capt Exequel Panti, described Labidi Adib as a sympathiser and ardent supporter of the move to establish an Islamic caliphate in the Philippines.
The arrest came amid ongoing military operations to mop up the remnants of IS involved in last year’s siege of Marawi City that saw several Malaysians, including lecturer-turned-militant Dr Mahmud Ahmad, killed when the military recaptured the city.
Tawau native Amin, who was a member of the Darul Islamiah Sabah that followed Dr Mahmud after he teamed up with slain Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, has remained under the radar since his escape from Marawi City.
Abu Jamil
The intelligence sources said that Amin took his 13-year-old son and the son of Abu Jamil, another dead militant from Sabah, to a safe area in southern Philippines before returning to Jolo.
“Both his son and Jamil’s son were in Marawi. They (children) were not part of the fighting but followed their fathers. Jamil’s son is now under Amin’s care,” the source said.
“We sometimes get information (of his whereabouts) but it remains just talk,” the source said, adding that Amin was not senior enough to take over IS in the Philippines as claimed by some security analysts.
The source explained that any successor to Isnilon Hapilon has to be a respected member of Abu Sayyaf and a Filipino.
“They will not accept a non-Filipino to lead them,” the source added.
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