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Bin Laden Visited to Philippines Several Times: Officer
Osama bin Laden, the "prime suspect" in the terrorist attacks in the United States last week, had been to the Philippines several times, a high-ranking official here said.
Assistant Director General Maria Concepcion Clamor of the Philippine National Intelligence Coordinating Council (NICC) made the statement Friday, an on-line news report of Today said.
NICC indicated that Bin Laden was providing financial help to the notorious bandit group Abu Sayyaf, which is now being hunted down by Philippine government troops across the nation.
Osama "had visited the country several times," Clamor said. "A network of legal organizations is suspected of being used by foreign sponsors to funnel funds to local militant groups. Of the network, Osama bin Laden is suspected to be supporting local extremists."
Abu Sayyaf has sent its members to Libya, Pakistan, Sudan and Iran for training and indoctrination, including courses on demolition and sabotage, she added.
Abu Sayyaf is notorious for kidnapping-for-ransom activities. There are at least 18 hostages, including two Americans, still in the hands of these bandits.
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