The Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed Tuesday that they uncovered alleged terror attack plans of Hamas in the Philippines.
Canada, the European Union, Israel, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. In addition, Australia, New Zealand, and Paraguay have designated their military wing as a terrorist organization.
In December 2018, the United Nations General Assembly rejected a U.S. resolution condemning Hamas as a terrorist organization. Its leaders, Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Mashaal, are based in Qatar.
According to the PNP, Hamas recruits Filipinos who will join them to execute terror attacks against Westerners and Middle Eastern nationals in the Philippines.
PNP said that their Intelligence Group’s report stated that a local contact of Hamas here in the Philippines disclosed the alleged terror plot.
“Coordination and information sharing with foreign and local counterparts disclosed that Bashir’s real name is ‘Fares Al Shikli’ who, allegedly, is the head of Hamas’s Foreign Liaison Section,” said Intelligence Group director Police Brigadier General Neil Alinsangan.
Alleged Hamas terror plot in PH uncovered by PNP
“He also has an Interpol Red Notice and is charged with an Offense of Terrorism Logistic Support,” he added.
The source traveled to Malaysia from 2016 to 2018, where he met with Fares Al Shikli. They discussed plans to attack Israeli nationals in the Philippines in exchange for Hamas’ financial aid.
The PNP said in 2016, Fares Al Shikli started training him as a local contact here. He introduced to him theoretical bomb-making training in Malaysia.
In 2017, Fares Al Shikli told the source that he would recruit Filipinos through his connections with local threat groups tasked to kill Jews in the Philippines, spread video propaganda, and hold rallies at selected embassies.
In January 2018, the PNP arrested a chemist who created explosives in Pampanga. The suspect was closely affiliated with Hamas. As a result, the Bureau of Immigration deported him to Turkey.
“This is a stern warning to all terroristic groups who plan to conduct recruitment and similar activities in the country, we have a way to know you, and you cannot do your plans here because the PNP and AFP, through the active support of the community, are working together to preempt your devious plans,” Alinsangan said.
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