[InterAksyon] The radical Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM) has been trying to rebuild itself by recruiting more youths into their ranks in the past several months. A police intelligence officer based in Philippine National Police general headquarters said that the intelligence establishment has monitored RSM recruiting new members, and "most of their members now are younger and more aggressive.""We are monitoring their cells ... one in Cavite and the other one in Novaliches in Quezon City," the intelligence officer said.
There have been at least two cells of the RSM suspected to be used as springboard for launching terror attacks in Luzon and even in the Manila area.
RSM is a group of former Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who had converted to Islam as their new religion. It was founded by Hilarious del Rosario, alias 'Backhand Santos', sometime in the 90's. It has been involved in several deadly attacks in past that have killed dozens of people and injured scores more. Their deadliest attack was the bombing of a Superferry on February 27, 2004 in Manila Bay. Akhmad Santos was arrested by security forces in the later part of 2005 in Zamboanga City, and has been detained ever since in Bicutan, Taguig City.
The intelligence officer said their concern is that RSM veterans may serve as guides or advisers to newly-trained recruits of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in launching attacks outside their usual area of operation. He added that at least 100 new BIFF recruits have completed their training in bomb-making, and these new recruits could be assigned test missions outside their home bases.