Intel sources: Dongon a well-connected terror leader

Reneer "Renren" Dongon, an alleged bomb expert arrested Saturday in Bohol while attempting to rescue a terror suspect, turns out to be a leader of an organization linked with the Islamic State.

Sources in the intelligence community said Dongon is one of the key officers of Khilafa Islamiyah Mindanao, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

Intelligence sources said Dongon is the brother-in-law of slain Abu Sayyaf leaders Khadaffy Janjalani, the late Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, and Ahmad Santos, a leader of the Rajah Solaiman Movement.

Marwan was the Malaysian bomb maker slain at the botched Mamasapano raid, where 44 police commandos ended up dead.

Sources said Dongon stayed mostly in Basilan and Jolo, Sulu under Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and other members of Jemaah Islamiyah.

A known bombardment course instructor and expert in making improvised explosives, Dongon is responsible for planting an IED in Maxandrea Hotel along JR Borja Street, Cagayan de Oro City on Oct. 11, 2012.

Terrorism analyst Professor Rommel Banlaoi said Dongon developed his skills in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices because of his close association with bomb expert Marwan.

Dongon was already arrested twice by authorities but was released after posting bail.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa confirmed in a press conference Monday that Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza, the police official arrested with Dongon, first met him in 2013 when she was still assigned at the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

She was the one who interrogated Dongon, the PNP chief said.

"Yung nakakulong si Dongon noon, siya yung taga interview kasi naka-assign siya sa PAOCC (Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission) si Nobleza. Habang nakakulong si Dongon, they let the love begin. May asawa siya. Opisyal din ang asawa niya, police attache sa Pakistan," Dela Rosa said.

Investigation showed that Dongon asked Nobleza’s help to rescue his injured brother Saad when they attacked Bohol, Dela Rosa said.

Nobleza admitted to offering help.

"So far inamin na niya na tutulungan lang daw nila si alias Saad na wounded at mag-drop lang daw ng gamot, that’s according to her. Isang tao lang daw ang interesado silang i-rescue. Apparently buhay pa itong Saad na ito na Abu Sayyaf bandit din. Si Saad lang ang kilala nila sa grupo. hindi kasama sa latest na casualty,” Dela Rosa said.

Banlaoi said that based on ground intelligence reports, the ASG planned an attack on Bohol.

"Plan talaga ng ASG sa Bohol. Ang plan nila is first, to identify subjects for kidnap for ransom. Second, to undermine the ASEAN meetings, related to the ASEAN summit and then nang hindi nila maisagawa, to mount terrorist activities during the Holy Week,” he said.

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Banlaoi also said the ASG wanted to create trouble and embarrass the government during the Philippines' ASEAN hosting.

He expressed concern that the ASG may now plan to conduct retaliatory attacks to avenge the death of its leaders Abu Rami and Joselito Melloria in recent clashes.

Banlaoi stressed that the ASG leaders' deaths was a tremendous blow on the militant groups, but added that they still have bombers among their ranks.

"ASG sub leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan remain as a commander, siya ang titingnan natin, and also other emerging groups associated with Khilafa,” he said.

Dela Rosa, meanwhile, reiterated that the police are doing everything they can to foil any terror attempts in the upcoming ASEAN summit.

"Lahat ng possible avenues of approach ng mga terrorista ay atin ng binabantayan by air, land, sea. Lahat binabantayan natin, no presence monitored - this is very clear. Wala tayong namomonitor na imminent threat, specific imminent threat to the asean summit, so far wala," he said.