PH authorities nab overstaying Hamas-linked Iraqi ‘bomb expert’ in Pampanga

PNP Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa talks to Taha Mohamed Al-Jabouri, a suspected Iraqi bomb expert connected to the Palestine Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). Authorities have arrested Al-Jabouri for overstaying in the country. Dela Rosa presented the suspect to the media during the press briefing at the PNP headquarters on January 22, 2018. (Photo by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net)

An Iraqi national, who was believed to be a bomb expert connected to the Palestine Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), has been arrested by Philippine authorities.

Taha Mohamed Al-Jabouri reportedly arrived in Manila from Istanbul, Turkey in August 27, 2017.

It was found out from his travel documents that Al-Jabouri’s 90-day visa was only valid from August 10, 2017 to November 9, 2017.

“The PNP-IG (intelligence group) is coordinating closely with the Bureau of Immigration and the Iraqi embassy for further disposition of Mr. Al-Jabouri,” said Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who presented the suspect in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday.

The suspect was described by the Iraq Embassy as “a chemist with knowledge on explosives and is known to have close ties with militant extremist movements in the Middle East.”

The police received reports on January 20 that a suspicious-looking person with Middle Eastern features, resembling the description and photographs provided by the Iraq Embassy in Brgy. Malabanias in Angeles City, Pampanga.

“A few hours later upon receipt of the report, operatives of the PNP Intelligence Group under Police Chief Supt. Norberto D. Solomon, conducted follow-up operations at 3 a.m. on Sunday, January 21, to verify the information from the BIN and found Mr. Al Jabouri in the area toting a large black luggage,” Dela Rosa said.

During interrogation, the suspect revealed that he served as a consultant for the Hamas in Damascus, Syria before he moved to Istanbul, Turkey in 2012.

He said he was in Manila to meet a Chinese business group that hired him as a consultant.                 /kga