World | Philippines
Foreign jihadists entering Philippines worry authorities
Jihadists from Indonesia and Malaysia continue to flee to the Philippines despite stricter border controls, the head of the counter-terror unit said on Friday.
- Agencies
- Published: 14:48 October 24, 2008
Manila: Jihadists or Islamic militants from Indonesia and Malaysia continue to flee to the Philippines despite stricter border controls, the head of the counter-terror unit said on Friday.
Arturo Lomibao said Jemaah Islamiah members remained a major security threat to the region.
Lomibao said the Philippines and neighbouring Indonesia and Malaysia had not fully stopped the movement of Islamic militants across their common maritime borders.
"Jihadists associated with Umar Patek continue to arrive intermittently in Mindanao," Lomibao said. He said the government was focusing its efforts to "neutralise" them.
Umar Patek, an Indonesian, is a key suspect in the 2002 Bali bombing that killed nearly 200 people. He is believed to be hiding in the Philippines with Abu Sayyaf members.
Lomibao said he was also worried about other jihadists who "are no longer visible in the intelligence radar screen".
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