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American arrested in the Philippines to be deported
Two Americans will be deported from the Philippines after being arrested on suspicion of involvement with groups with alleged links to the al-Qaeda terror network. Brothers Jamil Daud Mujahid, 56 and Michael Ray Stubbs, 55, were presented to the media at the Philippine Navy headquarters where Mujahid angrily rejected the allegations of links with local allies of al-Qaeda.
| Then why'd you name yourself "Mujahid"? It's kind of a "kick me here" name if you're not a wannabe krazed killer... |
"Itâs not true. Weâre Americans. I have a wife, I have a kid. These are all fabricated lies.
| "The wife and kid are fabricated, too!" |
"I donât know any Muslims in the Philippines," Mujahid said. Mujahid, formerly known as James Stubbs, acknowledged that he was a Muslim convert but insisted his brother was a Christian.
| "Well, he used to be a Christian, anyway. But he's an Episcopalian, so now he might be a homosexual. I haven't checked." |
The two were whisked out of the navy headquarters room before they could say more.
"They can say no more!"
"Mmmph!" |
The two were detained in Tanza town, south of Manila, on December 13 following intelligence reports that they had met with "known leaders of various terrorist cells in the country with links to al-Qaeda," the immigration bureau said. Immigration chief Andrea Domingo said that the two had shown support for "terrorist activities" by meeting with members of the Abu Sayyaf kidnapping group and the Muslim separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Maybe they just came to attend one of the camps?
| To work on their macrame skills, and make a few potholders... |
However she declined to elaborate on the contacts with these two groups, saying this might jeopardize the continuing operations against suspected terror groups.
| "I can say no more, either." |
Philippine Marine commander, Major General Manuel Teodosio said that Navy intelligence had monitored communications between the two and the Abu Sayyaf and MILF. The two Americans had been in and out of the country since February 2002 and Mujahid had married a local woman, the navy said. Domingo said it was up to the US government to take any action against the brothers after they are deported. She did not say when they would leave the country. US State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli confirmed in Washington that the two had been arrested, saying they were "currently being detained on immigration violations."
Posted by: Dan Darling 2003-12-30 |
