DEVELOPING:

Drawing of Umar Patek wanted poster.. Patek was arrested in Abbottabad, Pakistan in January of 2011

Manila : “Vigilance and caution is the order of the day, “ a senior Philippine official told journalists at the Presidential Palace in the capitol city. “We are on full alert for possible reprisals.” This, said on news of Osama Bin Laden’s death, at the hands of a US Navy seal team.

The same SEAL Unit – different members – working with the Philippine Navy Special warfare group, that took out the Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Sabaya, some time ago off the Zamboanga peninsula after a  joint – Philippine armed forces and US delta force rescue mission for kidnapped American missionaries,

The operation was noted in 2002. for it’s direct synergy between US; and Philippine troops, who performed the actual ‘hit’ on Sabaya, who at the time, was Asia’s most wanted extremist.

One may think the statement reaching, or out of precaution, until one looks at the facts surrounding where the attack that took out Bin Laden happened, and news reports and information briefings done in wake of the attacks.

Only one other senior or noted terrorist network figure has ever been captured in the area where Bin Laden was seized, His name is familiar to many in Mindanao and the Philippines media.  “Pakistani intelligence official said its officers were led to the house where Patek was staying; after they arrested an al-Qaida facilitator, Tahir Shahzad, who worked at the post office there.” A news release from Pakistani authorities reported.

One source trace to Patek? Telephone calls and mail from South East Asia sent to him. Delivered by the post master; to a rented residence – owned – by a man called only by US Intel as ‘the courier,’ alleged to have long ties with extremists.

Umar Patek, was until his arrest the subject of a major manhunt in South East Asia since the Bali Bombing, and Super ferry 14 attack in Manila Bay. Patek, was arrested in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Frame grab from YouTube video message of Patek one year prior to arrest in Pakistan

Patek, had been visiting a man long known for ties to senior al Qaeda figures; all with connections to the Philippines. Kalhid Sheik Mohamad, Murrad, and Ramsey Youseff. They were all known ‘the courier’, Patek’s alleged host, this was among the key pieces in the puzzle, Patek, when he was arrested in January.  Was per media reports, “Not far from the Pakistan military academy” the arrest came – partly as a joint US-Pakistan military and with help from Philippine information in past operations coordinated by the US military. “Patek had a device, that was traced to mindanao’ a source said, Which – most likely a cell phone or laptop that showed a location identity code for having been in the southern Philippines.

Umar Patek, was known for his role as a Al Qaeda conduit to JI and the Philippines, Abu Sayyaf group. And a technical role which grew to that of master bomb maker. His arrest in Pakistan came only short period after a string of IED attacks in Mindanao.

His arrest was a key indicator of things to come:

[]… A senior Indonesian al-Qaida operative wanted in the 2002 Bali bombings has been arrested in Pakistan, a rare high-profile capture in the war on terror that could provide valuable intelligence about the organization and possible future plots. …[]

While he was not known to be part of Osama’s network, Abbottabad, is now under increased scrutiny as a area where other figures in the network may be or have recently been. Patek is now in Indonesian custody, per reports, his information, or even just his whereabouts is seen as key to the series of meetings that took place after the arrest in Washington, and, put an increased focus on the location as likely place where Al Qaeda figures congregated.

Philippine officials, often call high alerts when ever a Al Qaeda attack or major victory by US or coalition forces takes place. In part because this region, the Philippines itself is major area along with Indonesia in the terror networks plans and operations. One other major ASG-JI figures arrest in August in Pakistan.

Also was a key indicator of the something in Abbottabad, a senior official in the Philippines says, and, this arrest in August also took place there.

In the meantime. STRATFOR, the global security analyst group warns, that possible reprisals are likely,  Pateks arrest annoucement for example was linked to Bus Bombing in Makati’s financial district even before the actual arest was declared. “It is Possible is that this will trigger action by al Qaeda in bin Laden’s name. We do not know how viable al Qaeda is or how deeply compromised it was. It is clear that bin Laden’s cover had been sufficiently penetrated to kill him. If bin Laden’s cover was penetrated, then the question becomes how much of the rest of the organization’s cover was penetrated. It is unlikely, however, that al Qaeda is so compromised that it cannot take further action. “ Red Alert: Osama bin Laden Killed | STRATFOR

Hence the warning issued by the Palace is not to be taken lightly.

Tags | Abbottabad, al qaeda, Osama, Pakistan, Philippines, Umar Patek