Philippines Arrests Islamist Bomb Plot 'Accomplice' (BREAKING)

BBC News ^ | 9 July 2002 | BBC News (Internet)

[AmericanInTokyo]

BREAKING NEWS (also in Filipino press this a.m. )

Text:

"The Philippines military has arrested a Filipino man they suspect of supplying a ton of explosives for use in an alleged plot to bomb Western targets in Singapore. Security forces arrested the man, Hussain Ramos, also known as Ali Ramos or Abu Ali, in the southern Philippine city of Marawi on Monday night."

Jailed militant Al-Ghozi implicated Ramos

Officials says he was identified by an Indonesian man convicted in April of buying explosives for the alleged operations, Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi.

Police say al-Ghozi is a member of the regional militant group Jemaah Islamiah, which has been linked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.

Hauled Before President Arroyo

Military and police officials presented Mr Ramos, 35, to Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the presidential palace in Manila shortly after announcing his arrest.

The military said Mr Ramos admitted he had procured explosives for al-Ghozi between November and December, 2001 for use in Singapore.

A military report said that al-Ghozi was put in contact with Mr Ramos through the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the country's main Muslim separatist group which signed a ceasefire with Manila last year.

Army chief Lieutenant General Dioisio Santiago refused to name the group Mr Ramos was working for, but he said the suspect had revealed that this group was operating in distinct cells, and was actively recruiting.

Analysts say Jemaah Islamiah wants to establish an Islamic state to include parts of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Bombing Plot

Officials allege that Jemaah Islamiah planned to attack US military personnel and naval vessels as well as the British high commission, the Israeli embassy and the Australian high commission in Singapore.

Al-Ghozi has been sentenced to 12 years in prison in connection with the discovery by Philippines police of a ton of TNT, 300 detonators and 17 M-16 assault rifles, buried in a backyard in the southern city of General Santos.

He has also admitted to involvement in a string on deadly bombings in Manila in December 2000 that killed 22 people and injured more than 120.

He still faces charges relating to the bombings, which may include murder charges.

Full coverage

[eno_]

I remember John McLame saying it would be a big mistake to continue the war in Afganistan through Ramadan.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for more good news!

[jiggyboy]

"Mom? I've got some good news and some bad news: The good news is I'm going to be on TV with the President tonight..."

[kinghorse]

Was McCain in favor of that? Can you quote a source? In hindsight that appears to be incredibly stupid. Everyone was bitching the US was dragging their feet at the end. Bah.

[desertcry]

Had the clinton administration listened to our Filipino friends warnings, the 9.11.01 attack on America could have been prevented. I'am glad that President GWB is taking seriouly the alqaeda activities in the Philippines.

[flying Elvis]

Hopefully he will rat out his friends in Singapore. They have such an efficient justice system there. :)

[seeker41]

The infamous "see this drill, it will be placed in your knnecap shortly."