Vol. 8 Issue 7 - Public International Law & Policy Group

Moro Islamic Liberation Front which could provide sanctuary and training grounds in
southern Mindanao region.
"It's very significant," Ermita said, "The U.S. counterparts were very happy."
Venancio and Dilna, their arms cuffed and restrained by military escorts, looked confused
when paraded by anti-terrorism officials during a news conference in Manila. Both had
earplugs on, apparently to prevent them from reacting to journalists' questions.
Venancio, a Moro Islamic Liberation Front member, was arrested last month in southern
Cotabato City with receipts for the explosives. He described the plans for a suicide bombing
in Davao and other attacks during interrogation, Ermita said. None of the attacks took place.
He was described in an anti-terrorism council statement as Jemaah Islamiyah militants' "most
trusted local" since 2005 in Mindanao, the southern region where a Muslim separatist
rebellion has raged for decades
Venancio allegedly helped move funds for top Jemaah Islamiyah figure Umar Patek and also
acquire guns and explosives for the Indonesian group's militants hiding with Abu Sayyaf on
Jolo Island, Ermita said.
Patek, an Indonesian, is wanted along with another Indonesian named Dulmatin in the 2002
nightclub bombings in Bali, Indonesia, that killed 202 people in Southeast Asia's worst
terrorist attack.
The pair allegedly fled to Mindanao in 2003. They have reportedly provided bomb-making
and religious training to the Abu Sayyaf, which has been included in a U.S. terrorist blacklist
for its links to al-Qaida and involvement in several bombings, kidnappings for ransom and
beheadings.
Dilna, who uses the nom de guerre Abu Badrin, was trained in explosives and unspecified
types of weapons in Afghanistan and Pakistan at about the same time as Patek in the early
1990s. When he returned home, he passed on the skills to Filipino and foreign militants,
Ermita said.
He has also given refuge to Dulmatin, Patek and other Jemaah Islamiyah militants, he said.
Philippines calls on MILF to return to peace table
Agence France Presse, 2/17/09
The Philippines on Tuesday called on Muslim separatist rebels to return to the negotiating
table to end six months of large-scale hostilities.
Avelino Razon, the country's chief peace negotiator, said the government will work towards
putting "confidence-building measures" on the ground, including reactivating a joint task
force that goes after criminals and terrorists.