EDITORIAL - A worrisome release

Here we are going all-out in our campaign against terrorism, calling in US troops to help fight Islamic extremists, even considering the declaration of a state of emergency in at least one city. The commander-in-chief, meanwhile, is releasing suspected terrorists arrested and detained for illegal possession of explosives.

Last week President Arroyo ordered the release of Indonesians Abdul Jamal Balfas, 37, and Tamsil Linrung, 40, upon the request of their government officials led by Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri. The two men were arrested last month at the NAIA together with another Indonesian, Agus Dwikarma, 37, as they were about to board a plane bound for Germany. Police said two oval-shaped plastic explosives and five detonation cords were found in the men’s carry-on luggage.

The men claimed the explosives were planted and that they visited General Santos City the day before on legitimate business. Linrung, a businessman who once served as treasurer of the National Mandate Party in Indonesia, claimed his arrest was politically motivated to discredit his partymate’s presidential candidate, Amien Rais.

With the track record of our law enforcers, the story about the planted evidence is plausible. But with the track record of Indonesia in getting Islamic militants, the release of the two is also worrisome. Megawati’s administration has handled radical Muslim groups with kid gloves, afraid that the groups will stir social unrest and turn against her. Such a tolerant atmosphere has turned Indonesia into a haven for Islamic militants.

Jemaah Islamiah, an umbrella organization of Muslim radicals with links to al-Qaeda operating in Southeast Asia, is believed headed by a 36-year-old Indonesian cleric, Riduan Isamuddin or Hambali. Isamuddin’s alleged second in command, another preacher named Abubakar Ba’asyir who is wanted by police in Malaysia and Singapore for terrorism, lives in the Indonesian town of Solo, untouched by authorities. Isamuddin himself has disappeared.

Jemaah Islamiah’s suspected intelligence officer, Indonesian Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi, pleaded guilty last week to illegal possession of a ton of explosive materials and will serve up to 12 years in the Philippines’ national penitentiary. Abdul Jamal Balfas, one of the two Indonesians ordered freed by President Arroyo, is himself a coordinator for a militant Muslim group. Philippine police held on to the third suspect, Dwikarma.

Were the pieces of evidence against the two Indonesians planted? Then those who did it should be investigated and punished. Or was the government merely trying to promote harmonious ties with Indonesia? The next time there is a similar request from Jakarta, Malacañang should first ask itself if promoting bilateral ties would not compromise the campaign against terror.