ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Government security forces have intensified security in this city after confirming a supposed plot of the Abu Sayyaf to stage bombings in gas stations and other “highly vulnerable†areas.
The terror plot also supposedly targets Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and the city’s two district representatives, Celso Lobregat and Lilia Nuño, according to Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, city police chief.
Aside from the Abu Sayyaf, Casimiro said threats also come from the so-called “lost command†and lawless groups from Basilan â€who will use terror as their arm.â€
Casimiro said these groups have cells operating in Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi and also in Sibuco, Sirawai, Siocon and Baliguian towns in Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay, and its members work together as they are related by consanguinity and affinity.
The bombing plot, however, was disrupted with last Sunday’s arrest of a suspected Abu Sayyaf bomber just outside a military base here, Casimiro said.
He said the suspect, Nujir Ahidji alias Abu Jomar, is tagged as an expert in improvised explosives.
He said the arrest of Ahidji, who hails from Jolo, Sulu, came following surveillance and intelligence gathering on the terror plot.
According to Casimiro, Ahidji is reportedly connected with the terror cells in Sulu and Basilan, with his cohorts operating in Pikit, North Cotabato.