Indonesians demand release of militants

An Indonesian opposition party has demanded that the Philippine embassy in Jakarta obtain the release of three suspected Indonesian militants arrested by the Philippine authorities in Manila, saying their detention is politically-motivated.

Members of the Muslim National Mandate Party alleged that the Philippine police planted C4 explosives in the luggage of the three Indonesians when they were searched on arrival at Ninoy Aquino international airport last month.

Embassy officials said the Indonesians even threatened to retaliate against Filipinos in Indonesia if the Philippine government continues to detain Agus Wikarno, Abdul Jamal Balfar and Tamil Lin Rung.

The Philippine embassy in Jakarta, in turn, heightened its security, fearing a repeat of the bombing of August 2000 that nearly killed Philippine Ambassador Leonides Caday.

The arrest of the three Indonesians came after the Philippines police nabbed in January Indonesian national Fathur Rohman Al Ghozi, whom the intelligence community believes is the bagman of the Jamaah Islamiyah.

Police said he confessed to the Rizal Day bombing and the bombing of the Philippine embassy in Jakarta that seriously injured Caday.

Triyogo Jatmiko, third secretary of the Indonesian embassy, confirmed that one of the Indonesian suspects, Tamsil, is a "non-active treasurer" of the Muslim National Mandate Party of Amien Rais, leader of Indonesian parliament.

He said the other two are legitimate businessmen.

He said Tamsil's position in the Indonesian opposition party can raise suspicion that the arrest was politically-motivated, saying that the Indonesian police tipped off Philippines authorities about the arrival of Tamsil and his two companions.