GenSan execs urge strict monitoring of Indon migrants




GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PNA) — Sarangani officials have called on the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to enforce strict documentation of Indonesian migrants in their province to preempt possible terrorist infiltration.


The move came in the wake of reports that the Indonesian terror group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) had allegedly set up terrorist cells in the area.

Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez said the proper documentation of Indonesians coming in and out of the province will help monitor the possible movement of the JI terrorist cells.

"The widened documentation of these immigrants will complement our ongoing efforts to secure our coastal municipalities from possible terrorist landings," he said in a radio interview.

The BID earlier established a satellite office in Glan town to facilitate the registration of Indonesian immigrants, locally known as "Maruris."

Earlier estimates placed the number of Indonesian migrants in the province at around 20,000, scattered in various communities in the area. It was learned that some of them had been residing in the area for over 30 years now but have remained undocumented.

Dominguez stressed, however, that just because the immigrants came from Indonesia, they should not immediately be classified as possible JI terrorists.

"We are also encouraging their proper documentation because that is provided for by law," he said.

The governor said the Indonesian migrants are actually assets to the local economy.

He said the Indonesians who have earlier settled in the area had helped local fishermen and traders to set up business linkages in Manado and Bitung in North Sulawesi.

On the supposed presence of JI terrorist cells in Sarangani, Dominguez said such report is continually being verified by authorities.

Intelligence reports earlier indicated that JI had set up a terrorist cell in Maasim, Sarangani. The JI members, who are allegedly training some locals on bomb-making, are supposedly planning to set up cells in other coastal municipalities.

Dominguez said JI terrorists entry points into their region include porous areas in his province and in Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur.

"We have responded to these threats by providing security to our coastal communities and the seas nearby," he said.

Dominguez added Sarangani’s newly acquired naval patrol gunboat station in Glan is now conducting regular patrol along the Sarangani Bay.