AFP on alert anew for Metro bombers

Military intelligence agents are closely monitoring Muslim extremists who are believed to have completed training in urban demolition operations and may have slipped into Metro Manila to stage another spate of bombings.

Sources in the military intelligence community said the extremists are mostly members of the special operations group of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) while the rest are members of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group or loyalists of jailed rebel leader Nur Misuari.

"Several teams have already undergone demolition training. What we’re watching is their deployment here," an intelligence officer told The STAR.

He said the extremists are believed to have undergone training in various places in the country, mostly in Central Mindanao but also in some areas north of Metro Manila

"The (terrorists’) cells are just waiting either for the opportunity to stage their attacks or materials or even money to fund their operations," the source said.

The trained bombers are also believed to be trying to establish links with Metro Manila-based communist rebels so that they could use the communists’ urban support system or co-opt additional personnel in exchange for training in sabotage and bomb-making.

However, another intelligence official said the trained bombers appear to be having a hard time acquiring bomb components.

"Some may just use grenades and throw them," the second official said.

"What we are trying to prevent is another Rizal Day bombing," he added, referring to the Dec. 30, 2000 bombings in Metro Manila that killed 22 and wounded more than a hundred others.

The Rizal Day bombings were hatched by Indonesian Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi, who admitted his role in planning the attack and has been convicted for illegal possession explosives. He has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Al-Ghozi, supposedly a member of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah, was arrested by the authorities at the Muslim Center in Quiapo, Manila on Jan. 15.

His arrest led to the discovery of a ton of explosives in a compound al-Ghozi rented in General Santos City in South Cotabato. Al-Ghozi has also been sentenced to 12 years for forging two Philippine passports.

Al-Ghozi also admitted training MILF rebels in bomb-making but the MILF leadership has repeatedly denied any connection with the Indonesian terrorist.

Intelligence officials also said the MILF, which has signed at least three agreements with the government, may really not have any control over its special operations group which is believed to be composed of extremists.