US tags Rajah Solaiman Movement as terrorist group

WASHINGTON — The US State Department on Monday labeled as terrorists the Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM), a band of converts to Islam that operates in the Philippines, and its leader Ahmad Santos.

The US Treasury Department had also identified seven RSM operatives as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).

The other RSM members were identified as Pio Abogne de Vera, Redendo Cain Dellosa, Feliciano Semborio delos Reyes Jr., Ricardo Perez Ayeras, Ruben Pestano Lavilla Jr., and Dinno Amor Rosalejos Pareja.

The Rajah Solaiman Movement is composed of former Christians who converted to Islam and the group is also being linked to the Abu Sayyaf and the Indonesia-based Jemaah Islamiyah.

The State Department in a statement said RSM had received training, funds, and operational assistance from the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiyah, which have long been designated as terrorist organizations linked with the al-Qaeda terror network.

The Abu Sayyaf recently kidnapped ABS-CBN correspondent Ces Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo in Sulu. The kidnappers earlier released ABS-CBN assistant cameraman Angelo Valderama.

Government negotiators said kidnappers were reportedly demanding a P15-million ransom for the release of the three remaining hostages.

The State Department said that RSM members were involved in the bombing of SuperFerry 14 in February 2004, which was allegedly planned by the Abu Sayyaf. The bombing killed an estimated 116 people, the worst act of maritime terrorism in recent history.

RSM members were also involved in the February 2005 Valentine’s Day bombings in Manila, General Santos City and Davao City as well as several plots to bomb high profile targets, including Manila public utilities, tourist areas, and the US Embassy in Manila, it added.

The Treasury Department said RSM “reportedly received funding from private Saudi sources that channeled funds” through charitable non-government organizations in the Philippines. Between 2002 and 2005, Saudi financiers and at least one Saudi-based Filipino financier also contributed money to RSM for training camps and planned terror operations, the government alleged.

The State Department said the United States designated the RSM as global terrorist organization to implement the action taken by the United Nations last June 4 when the UN Security Council added the RSM and eight of its members to the UN 1267 Committee’s Consolidated List of individuals and entities affiliated with al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or international terrorist Osama bin Laden.

“To implement this UN action, on June 16, 2008 the Department of State designated RSM and its leader, Ahmad Santos, under EO 13224 as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Seven additional RSM operatives have also been designated under Executive Order 13224 by the Treasury Department,” the State Department said in a statement posted on its website.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. welcomed the US move.

“It will boost our campaign against the Rajah Solaiman Movement, which is a front organization of terrorists,” he said in a telephone interview.

Razon said the movement’s membership has dwindled following police arrests of its leaders, and the US sanctions will help further weaken the group.  – With Pia Lee-Brago, AP