AFP chief says doctor still under investigation

October 9, 2017

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Eduardo Ano said Monday Russel Salic, a doctor who has been charged for allegedly supporting a foiled terror plot in New York City, is still under investigation.

"In coordination and cooperation with NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and other agencies, the investigation on Salic continues", Ano said in a press conference in Camp Crame.

"There are information revealed during the interrogation but we cannot share it or disclose it to the public but rest assured that we are looking on all of that even the links on terror groups and we'll make sure that they will not be able to make any terror action against people especially", he added.

US authorities said that Salic is part of the plotting of planned terrorist attacks at New York City, including concert venues, subway stations, and Times Square in 2016.

Ano said Salic who surrendered to the NBI last April, sent money to suspected terrorist groups in the Middle East, Malaysia and US.

"Dr. Russel sent money to different suspected terrorists in middle east, Malaysia and US and US and he has been under radar since 2014", he said.

"With the help of other foreign intel agencies and the Interpol, we are having sharing of information that led to the neutralization", he added.

Ano said terror groups are taking advantage of the Philippines' situation.

"You know the country enjoys so much democratic space that is being exploited by terror groups and also criminal groups unlike in other countries like Singapore, US , Malaysia, Australia, they have a very strict internal security act", he said.

Ano said they will request to amend or improve provisions to counter terrorism.

"We have coordination and engagement with our legislators, there are different committees that will hear that and we are pushing for our own internal security act that would address all these matters affecting terrorism', he said.

He said countries like Philippines Malaysia and Indonesia have Muslim populations that is why it is easy to get support apparatus through their relatives. Alanna Ambi/DMS