AFP on heightened alert for possible sympathy attacks

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  – Government forces are on heightened alert to avert possible sympathy attacks from the Abu Sayyaf, a group linked with the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), following the death of Dulmatin, JI’s alleged master bomb maker, in a police raid in Indonesia last Tuesday.

Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said surgical strikes against the JI and the Abu Sayyaf continues in areas in Mindanao where Dulmatin sought refuge after escaping from Indonesia following the 2002 Bali bombings that left 202 tourists killed and dozens injured.

Dulmatin, a 39-year-old Indonesian trained by al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, was wanted for the suicide bombings that tore through two Bali nightclubs popular with Westerners.

Reports said when Dulmatin came to Mindanao, he trained the Abu Sayyaf militants in bomb-making.

Brig. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, commander of the anti-terror Task Force Comet based in Jolo, Sulu, a known lair of the remaining Abu Sayyaf groups, said his forces have been implementing strict security measures.                  – Roel Pareño