US designates RP-based RSM as terrorists

MANILA, Philippines - The United States government has placed the Philippine-based Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM) under its terrorist list and linked the group to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda, imposing sanctions on the group and its members. In a statement, the US State Department said it has designated the RSM and its leader Ahmad Santos and seven other RSM members as "Specially Designated Global Terrorists", citing the group's involvement in bombing incidents and terrorist plots in the Philippines. "On June 4, 2008, the United Nations Security Council added the Philippines-based Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM) and eight of its members to the UN 1267 Committee’s Consolidated List of individuals and entities affiliated with al-Qaida (AQ), the Taliban, or Usama Bin Ladin (UBL)," the US State Department said. "To implement this UN action, on June 16, 2008 the Department of State designated RSM and its leader, Ahmad (Ahmed) Santos, under E.O. 13224 as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Seven additional RSM operatives have also been designated under Executive Order 13224 by the Treasury Department," it added. The US State Department noted that RSM has received financial, training and logistics aid from at least two groups which have earlier been included in the US terror list - the Abu Sayyaf operating in the southern Philippines and the regional extremist group Jemaah Islamiyah. "RSM has received training, funds, and operational assistance from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiya, two designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, which are also included on the UN 1267 list," the State Department said. The State Department said the RSM was established by Santos in January 2002 and has been involved in the planning of bombings against civilians in the Philippines and "the stockpiling of weapons to conduct those operations." The group has also assisted with terrorist plots of the Abu Sayyaf in Manila and in the northern Philippines, the State Department said. In fact, in February 2004, RSM members were involved in Abu Sayyaf's bombing of Super Ferry 14, which left 116 people dead. "RSM members were also involved in the February 2005 Valentine’s Day bombings in the Philippine cities of Manila, General Santos and Davao as well as several plots to bomb high profile targets, including Manila public utilities, tourist areas, and the U.S. Embassy in Manila," the State Department said. With the designation of the group and its members as terrorists, the US State Department said all UN members are bound to freeze the group's assets and to impose an arms embargo on the group and a travel ban on its members. "All UN member states are obligated to freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of listed individuals and entities included on the 1267 Committee’s Consolidated List and to apply other sanctions (travel ban and arms embargo). The United States implements its asset freeze through E.O. 13224, which blocks all property, and interests in property, of the designees that are in the United States, or come within the United States, or the control of U.S. persons," the State Department said. - GMANews.TV