By Lee Ann P. Ducusin
Journal Online, Friday, June 3, 2011
IMMIGRATION and naval intelligence operatives captured a Malaysian believed to be a member of an international terrorist group operating in the south.
Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David, Jr. said members of the BI’s Mindanao intelligence unit and the Navy’s intelligence command in Region 11 arrested Abdul Aziz Usman, also known as Aziz Bin Othman in Bgy. Inawayan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
Usman, 50, was nabbed together with his aide Omar Abu, who is likewise believed to be a Malaysian national.
They were arrested after months of intensive surveillance by authorities.
The BI chief added that the Malaysian is suspected of working as a finance officer for a terrorist group, which is closely associated with the Abu Sayyaf bandit group and the Al-Qaeda network of slain terrorist Osama Bin Laden.
“He could not present any travel documents, thus we will deport him for being an undocumented alien,” he said.
According to the report, Usman was also the object of complaints for his involvement in the trafficking of Filipino Muslim women to Malaysia, some of whom are forced into prostitution and white slavery.
Maria Antonette Mangrobang, BI acting intelligence chief, said Usman was about to marry a Filipina in a ceremony at a mosque when he was picked up by the arresting agents.
Earlier, the Philippine Navy said at least five foreigners with links to Bin Laden are hiding in the south.
Topping the list is US-trained engineer named Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Marwan, a Malaysian who reportedly trains the Abu Sayyaf in bomb-making.
Also being hunted is Mauwiyah, a Singaporean; Indonesians Saad and Qayyim; and Malayian Amin Baco, a Malaysian.
