The Philippine government Sunday raised the specter of a “synchronized operation” by the Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah terror group in Southeast Asia, adding that the recent bombings in Jakarta, Indonesia and in Mindanao could be the handiwork of the same group. The Jakarta suicide bomb attack came two weeks after three blasts hit Mindanao, which left eight people dead and more than 100 others injured. National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said this concern has prompted the Arroyo government to intensify its consultations with security authorities in neighboring countries to arrest those behind the bombings and prevent further terror attacks. “Because of the Jakarta bombing, it has become more convincing that Jemaah Islamiyah was the group that attacked us due to the same pattern, same target. We were probably the first target than Jakarta. This is probably a synchronized JI operation in the region,” Gonzales said. “We are having exchange with our neighbors because we need to have a common analysis on this, whether there is a renewed JI operation in the region,” he added. Gonzales noted that the Indonesia-based Jemaah Islamiyah continues to carry out attacks despite the arrests of many of its members by security forces in the region, adding that this warrants a review of regional responses by concerned authorities. “All the authorities in the Asian region have really been combating this group. And for them to do something in Jakarta and Mindanao is really something to for us to review our own attitude towards JI. We have been fighting them, there have been made many arrests, but it seems they are able to still strike,” he said. Gonzales said the Arroyo government is taking very seriously the threat posed by the Jemaah Islamiyah, noting that the group was behind the October 2002 bombing in Bali that killed 202. At the same time, Gonzales urged the Filipino public to remain calm despite the bombings and not to panic, saying the situation remains under control by the authorities. “We take the bombings seriously. We have been through these occurrences. We are able to handle it so far. There is no reason to panic,” he said. In Malacanang, Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez said the Arroyo government will not back down in its all-out war against the ASG, adding that security forces will pursue offensive operations against the group until all its remaining members are neutralized. “The government wants to eradicate all terrorists in the country. The Abu Sayyaf is the group that raped our women, burnt communities, stole, killed people, and engaged in illegal taxation. These are among the crimes they have committed,” Golez said.
