TERRORIST CELL NEUTRALIZED

PRESS STATEMENT OF DIRECTOR GENERAL JESUS A VERSOZA
Chief, Philippine National Police
December 12, 2008

I am happy to announce that the terrorist cell of the notorious MILF-SOG operations officer Basit Usman was effectively neutralized with the arrest last December 9 of GUIAMALODIN EDSRAFIL alias Jams/ Parhan Salik in Barangay Tamontaka, Cotabato City.

Edsarafil is identified in military and police intelligence records as a key player in several bombing incidents in Mindanao including the bombing of the Ecoland terminal in Davao City on March 4, 2005, the bombing at the Isulan Market in Sultan Kudarat early this month, the bombing of Pikit Tower in Cotabato last July 28, 2008, and other bombing incidents in Koronadal City, Shariff Kabunsuan and at crossing Tukanalipao in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Edarafil is the subject of a warrant of Arrest for Murder and Multiple Frustrated Murder issued by the Honorable Rogelio Narisma, presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 23 of Kidapawan City.

Edsrafil was flown-in to Manila from Cotabato City this afternoon and was placed under the custody of the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

At the time of his arrest last Tuesday afternoon, Edsrafil was in possession of three electric blasting caps, six inches of detonating cord, and 2 christmas light bulbs converted into an igniter. These bomb components were reportedly intended for another bombing operation in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Shariff Kabunsuan in the evening of the same day targetting the camp of the 6th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.

Edsrafil revealed that funds for his bombing operation in Awang was sent by Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon to the ATM account of Abdulrahman Esmael, a member of the MILF 105th Base Command stationed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. The funds were deposited November 27 and withdrawn on November 28.

The arrest of Edsrafil revealed a network and command structure with direct links to key personalities in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyaf Group from whom bombing orders emanated. Initial results of investigation revealed that the terror cell of Edrafil is under the direct command of wanted MILF leader Ameril Umbra Kato.

He revealed that his terrorist cell is in direct contact with Sammy GAMBAR, Chief of Staff of the BIAF, MILF; and Nasif Pha Sali, Operations Officer of BIAF, MILF; and Mocasid DELNA, Chief of the MILF-SOG.

In bombing operations, his terror cell get orders from Ustadz Ameril Imbra KATO, Commander HAON, Abu HALID and Basit USMAN.

Other revelations of Edrafil indicated his key participation in the Big 7 or Big City program of Abu Sayyaf Chieftain Isnilon Hapilon that included bombing targets in MetroManila. However, the Big 7 cell is yet to receive operating funds from Hapilon who made last contact with the group in November 2008.

Even with the arrest of Edsrafil and the arrest last December 2 of Bangladeshi Bomb manufacturer ALPARIZ, intelligence operations will continue to capture other personalities involved in this campaign of terror.

PNP units in targetted areas as revealed by Edsrafil have been alerted to initiate preemptive security measures to prevent infiltration of these areas by terrorist elements.