‘If Hamas or their Filipino recruits sow terror in the Philippines, or kill Israeli visitors here, then it would be an ordinary police problem that the PNP and the DILG should solve or if possible, prevent.’
BOTH Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Intelligence Group became recent sources of information from the media that there is a nascent attempt by Hamas to ramp up their terrorist activities in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.
In a talk with reporters, Secretary Año disclosed that both the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are currently engaged in “domestic and international intelligence coverage” which includes liaising work with foreign intelligence agencies where information on Hamas is shared.
Earlier, Brig. Gen. Neil Alinsangan revealed that the Hamas terror group plans to “establish a foothold” in the Philippines, specifically targeting visiting Israelis in Manila.
Alinsangan said the police’s “Filipino source” has tipped them that a certain Bashir of the Hamas foreign liaison section is laying the groundwork for a foothold in the Philippines with pledges of financial support to some local threat groups, including militant extremists which links to international terrorist organizations.
It was also reported that Bashir’s real name is Fares al-Shikli and that he has an “Interpol Red Notice and is charged with an Offense of Terrorism Logistic Support.”
The PNP recalled that in January, 2018, a chemist and explosives expert who was closely affiliated with Hamas was arrested in Pampanga. He was then deported to Turkey. The PNP’s new source admitted to making several trips to Malaysia from 2016 to 2018, where he met with Fares Al Shikli to discuss the possibility of mounting attacks against Israeli nationals in the country, including demonstrations at embassies and doing video propaganda, in exchange for financial assistance by Hamas.
Hamas, or the Islamic Resistance Movement, is not entirely a “terrorist organization” as the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018 rejected a US resolution condemning it as such. It is the de facto governing authority of the Gaza strip following the 2007 Battle of Gaza. The West considers the movement terrorist, but not Brazil, China, Egypt, Iran, Norway, Qatar, Russia, Syria and Turkey.
If Hamas or their Filipino recruits sow terror in the Philippines, or kill Israeli visitors here, then it would be an ordinary police problem that the PNP and the DILG should solve or if possible, prevent. The Philippines maintains President Duterte’s open foreign policy of being “friend to all” and shall be responsible for the safety and security of all our tourists and visitors, whether Arab, Israeli, Muslim, Christian, Jew, Buddhist, or atheist.
