Government prepared for retaliation

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang assured the public yesterday that the government is on top of the country’s security situation despite supposed threats of retaliation from the camp of slain Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan.

“The military and police remain on alert to ensure the peace and security of our citizens,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in Filipino.

In his weekly interview over government-owned radio dzRB, Coloma disclosed the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation have been monitoring threats of all kinds from varied sectors.

Marwan’s alleged Filipino cohort Basit Usman – reportedly injured – remains at large.

This is not just limited to possible retaliation of terrorists, but of suspected coup plotters and their potential financiers as well, like what civil society leader Pastor Saycon revealed about ex-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s men, according to Coloma.

In a related development, he said they respect the personal opinion of former President Fidel Ramos on his statement why no security official had informed Aquino about the slaughter of the 44 police Special Action Force (SAF) commandos during the encounter with Moro rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

He said they are just awaiting results of the investigation by the PNP Board of Inquiry on the issue.

The Senate and the House of Representatives, which that have undertaken independent investigations, are also waiting for the results of the board’s probe on what really transpired between SAF troopers and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last Jan. 25 in Maguindanao.

He said it would be premature to sanction officials who did not inform Aquino of the Mamasapano incident when all the other investigating bodies have not yet come up with a conclusion, much less determine culpability.

As to reports that 27 of the 44 slain SAF troopers sustained gunshot wounds in the head, the Palace spokesman suggested that it would be best to wait for results of the autopsy.

The military admitted yesterday that the threat posed by the cohorts of Marwan remains serious even as it gave assurance that efforts are underway to track them down.

“The elimination of Marwan is such a great source of comfort to some extent. But the seriousness of the threat posed by his cohorts continues to be high,” Armed Forces spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla told The STAR yesterday.

“They have been very elusive and all leads are pursued relentlessly,” he added.

Padilla stressed that the campaign against Marwan’s followers and other high-value terrorists requires the help of civilians.

“The sooner they are caught or neutralized, the better for our country. Hence, the cooperation of everyone is a must if we are to address this threat to its rightful end,” he added.

Padilla was asked to react to a report by The STAR, which stated that Marwan had been training Muslim rebels in bomb-making and demolition operations since 2000.

Marwan was the leader of the Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist cell in the Philippines before he was killed in a covert SAF operation in Mamasapano last Jan. 25.

Intelligence reports obtained by The STAR show that among those trained by Marwan were members of the Abu Sayyaf, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the MILF, the group negotiating a peaceful settlement with the government.

According to the intelligence reports, the MILF continued the training and stockpiling of arms in Marawi City despite the signing of the Bangsamoro framework agreement in 2012.

Security officials said about 300 militants have completed the training courses facilitated by Marwan and Usman.

Padilla said the military was aware of the training conducted by the two terrorists.

“The government’s security forces have been hot on the trail of Marwan and Basit since we confirmed their presence in the country,” Padilla said.

Intelligence operatives have also obtained a photo showing Marwan with BIFF founder Ameril Umbra Kato, now believed to be bedridden. – With Alexis Romero