Military Tightens Security In Jolo Island

A Philippine Air Force helicopter gunner talks on a microphone from his helmet in Jolo island where troops are pursuing two Jemaah Islamiya bombers Dulmatin and Umar Patek believed to be with the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Khadaffy Janjalani. Dulmatin's photo is displayed on a pole besides the gunner. (Zamboanga Journal)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 18 Aug) The Philippine military on Friday tightened security in the strife-torn Jolo island after soldiers seized thousands of blasting caps suspected to be owned by the Abu Sayyaf group tied to Jemaah Islamiya.

Troops arrested a man, Mujahiri Malik, who was caught transporting 6,000 blasting caps in Jolo on Thursday, but a woman managed to escape and was being hunted on the island, said Brig. Gen. Alexander Aleo, commander of the military forces in Jolo.

"We are tracking down the woman who escaped arrest and military operation against the Abu Sayyaf in going. We have tightened security in Jolo because of terror threats," Aleo said.

Soldiers were pursuing two Jemaah Islamiya bombers Dulmatin and Umar Patek believed to be with the group of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani. Security forces seized 3,000 blasting caps from a ferry in Jolo and another 3,000 blasting caps left on a pedicab at the busy port of Jolo.

"We have suspicions that the explosives are owned by the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya. Six thousand blasting caps can make 6,000 improvised explosive devices that can kill a lot of people," Aleo said.

Aleo said the blasting caps were similar to what the Abu Sayyaf had used in previous bombings in Jolo and Zamboanga City. "They are similar to what the Abu Sayyaf had used in the past; the bombings in Jolo and Zamboanga. They also have the same markings and all made in India," he said.

The ferry left Zamboanga City late Wednesday and arrived in Jolo the next day to unload and pick up passengers and cargoes and then sail for Tawi-Tawi and back to Zamboanga.

"We still don't know if the blasting caps were on its way to Zamboanga City or elsewhere, but one thing is sure; the terrorists are up to something big and we will find it out," Aleo said.

Port authorities in Zamboanga City also tightened its security to prevent the entry of weapons and explosives. "We have tightened our security in Zamboanga City and put up additional guards to prevent the smuggling or entry of weapons or explosives here," said Maj. Frank Clavecillas, port police commander.

He said he would organize a task force to protect both passengers and vessels in Zamboanga City against threats of terror attacks. "We have been conducting regular drills to enhance the capability of our forces in fighting terrorism and to protect the passengers and vessels inside the Zamboanga City port," he said.

Clavecillas said the task force would be composed by law enforcement agencies, including the military.

Last week, the military said it captured an Abu Sayyaf bomb factory in Jolo island and killed at least 11 militants in three weeks of fierce fighting that left 7 soldiers wounded.

The United States offered as much as $10 million bounty for Dulmatin and $1 million for Patek's capture and another $5 million for known Abu Sayyaf leaders, including Khadaffy Janjalani, its chieftain. President Gloria Arroyo also put up P100 million rewards for the capture of the group's leaders and their members dead or alive. Both Patek and Dulmatin were linked to the 2002 Bali bombing.