Terrorism and ISIS at Resorts World attack

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Many talking heads, most notably Catherine Herridge of Fox News, repeatedly have cited the jihad attack on Resort World casino mass murder in the Philippines in June as proof that ISIS has taken credit for attacks that were not theirs. That is not so.

The claim is that the Resort World casino was a “robbery.” But nothing was robbed or stolen. “Instead of escaping with a backpack of casino chips worth P113 million or about $2.3 million, the gunman killed himself in a manner reminiscent of suicide attacks.”

As I previously posted yesterday, ISIS Sanctioned/Directed Resorts World Casino Attack, That Too Was Initially Dismissed

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https://twitter.com/andrewbostom/status/915620844436680704

Terrorism and ISIS at Resorts World attack?

Key to analyzing the threat accurately is understanding terror networks in the Philippines and Southeast Asia

By Maria A. Ressa, Rappler, June 17, 2017:

 Philippine police quickly discount terrorism: “We cannot relate it to terrorism because he did not shoot anybody,” National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde told reporters on Friday, June 2. (READ: Police: Resorts World Manila shooting not act of terrorism)

Yet, instead of escaping with a backpack of casino chips worth P113 million or about $2.3 million, the gunman killed himself in a manner reminiscent of suicide attacks.

“He burned himself inside the hotel room 510,” Philippine police chief Ronald dela Rosa told reporters. “He lay down on a bed, covered himself in a thick blanket and apparently doused himself in gasoline.”

Hours before authorities spoke, however, alleged ISIS member Semion Almujaheed, a member of the group that has taken parts of Marawi, claimed responsibility on a pro-ISIS channel.

This is the same account that posted the video of a priest held hostage in Marawi appealing for a troop pull-out on Tuesday, May 30.

Written in English and repeated in Arabic, the post said: “The lonewolf soldiers of the Khilafah attack the heart of Kufar city of Manila in Resort World.” (Read: Casino targeted with suicide attack because it’s ‘haram’ – ISIS)

When asked about this, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana contradicted police statements, telling Rappler that “the police and intel people are investigating.” He added, “We are not yet ruling out that this is an ISIS act.”

Key to analyzing the threat accurately is understanding terror networks in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Lorenzana explained that in 2016, ISIS in Syria recognized Filipino groups as part of the terror group, the Islamic State, also known as IS, ISIL or Daesch.

As early as January 2016, Rappler outlined the consolidation of extremist groups pledging allegiance to ISIS in the Philippines under the leadership of former Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, then based in Basilan.

“He was ordered to Lanao del Sur in early January to set up a wilayat (Islamic province) there,” Lorenzana told Rappler. “ISIS thought that Lanao del Sur was a better place for expansion because the area is bigger than Basilan, and there are more Muslims there. Since their recognition as part of ISIS, Hapilon has received funds from ISIS.”

In 2016, the groups consolidated in central Mindanao with a direct link to Syria.

Classified documents obtained by Rappler name the Filipino in ISIS in Raqqa: Mohammad Reza Kiram. In June 2016, he appeared in a video released in pro-ISIS telegram accounts. Kiram, along with a Malaysian and an Indonesian, beheaded 3 Caucasian males, and told jihadists that “if you cannot go to [Syria], join up and go to the Philippines.” (READ: Filipino millennial joins ISIS in Syria)

EXCLUSIVE. The passport of Filipino Mohammad Reza Kiram juxtaposed against the Filipino in the ISIS video

EXCLUSIVE. The passport of Filipino Mohammad Reza Kiram juxtaposed against the Filipino in the ISIS video

Capturing territory

Intelligence reports from the Philippines and at least two other nations show that foreigners and others who came to the Philippines in response to ISIS’ calls converged around the Butig area. Some of the foreigners were already in the country as part of what was then known as Jemaah Islamiyah, once al-Qaeda’s arm in Southeast Asia.

What separates ISIS from al-Qaeda is its successful capture of territory – a physical caliphate. As its forces weakened in Iraq and Syria, its propaganda pushed homegrown groups in other parts of the world to take territory.

The Maute Group, which calls itself “IS Ranao” held territory twice in 2016:

This set the stage for the taking of parts of Marawi, prompting the Philippine government to declare martial law in Mindanao on May 23. The Philippine military still has to regain full control of the city after more than 10 days of fighting.

“This is not a failure of intelligence; this is a failure to appreciate intelligence,” Rohan Gunaratna told Rappler. Gunaratna, the author of Inside al-Qaeda, is the head of the International Centre for Political Violence & Terrorism Research Centre in Singapore.

“We have written many reports about the developments of ISIS in Mindanao,” he said, “it’s time to plan, prepare, and to build a strategy to control, contain, isolate, and eliminate ISIS.”

From 2012 until today, we’ve shown the evolution of terror networks in the Philippines – from its links to al-Qaeda and evolution to ISIS.

Rappler documented ISIS’ moves in the Philippines, including ISIS-style beheadings of Filipinos, prison escapes, bomb plots, assassination attempts, and recruitment in universities in Marawi.

By early 2017, Filipinos and foreign nationals were training in the Butig area. By March, former Abu Sayyaf spokesman Muammar Askali, who had also pledged allegiance to ISIS, had moved from Jolo to central Mindanao. From there, a joint group traveled by sea to Bohol to try to mount an attack last April, coinciding with high tourist arrivals and an ASEAN meeting. That was foiled by authorities.

ISIS in Raqqa documented a lot of these, like this slick propaganda video released on ISIS channels soon after the Bohol plot was foiled. It plants the ISIS flag on the Philippines, and in Filipino declares, “Ang mga Sundalo ng Khilafa sa Silangang Asya” or the Islamic fighters in East Asia.

It’s followed by video of training and fighting in central Mindanao – including the Maute Group’s brutal beheading of two Filipino sawmill workers in April, 2016. (This video was taken down on May 5).

Indonesian extremists in chat rooms were pushing each other to travel to the Philippines, with one saying, “Don’t be a lion in the virtual world and a rabbit in the real world.”

Several hours after martial law was declared in Mindanao, ISIS in Syria released this video claiming its solders controlled parts of Marawi. What’s striking is that the photos show the Maute Group wearing helmets and vests and operating high-powered equipment.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Lorenzana call homegrown groups ISIS. When will the rest of the country’s security forces do the same and align around a vision that can neutralize this threat?

The Truth Must be Told

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Suresh
Suresh
6 years ago

The killer is a Anti-Trump democrat and Antifa activist also claimed by ISIS

There seems to be another shooter in the 10 th floor as shown in one of the videos in the article http://bit.ly/2xb9Js2

But Police are not even talking about or pursuing that person !

Jim
Jim
6 years ago
Reply to  Suresh

Suresh: Two primary (ie, legitimate) sources, please, otherwise don’t post such claims.

Ziggy46
Ziggy46
6 years ago
Reply to  Jim

We must stop our personal conjecture, musings and conspiracy theories. I am no different when a tragedy such as this occurs; we all want and need answers to this heinous and cowardly massacre. Admittedly, the truth will never be laid out to We the People… there is more going on than the authorities are willing to disclose. It is early yet… there’s a good chance I may be wrong but, perhaps not.

I recall after 9/11 the conspiracy theorists laying blame on, then, President Bush, it was the American government, not Islamic terrorism. President Trump is being blamed, which is no surprise, for not turning this tragedy into a gun control debate. The rabid Democrats, the MSM and others of the leftist progressive lobby invariably become orgasmic when a tragedy such as this occurs. Give the victims and their loved ones time and respect before using the victims and loved ones for one’s political agenda.

Suresh
Suresh
6 years ago
Reply to  Jim

Did you read full article with the pics and videos ? if you want more proof ask investigator to investigate it further.

S N Smith
S N Smith
6 years ago

Islamic Holocaust: Western wars have killed AT LEAST 4 million Muslims since 1990
https://www.sott.net/article/303020-Islamic-Holocaust-Western-wars-have-killed-AT-LEAST-4-million-Muslims-since-1990

Michael Buley
Michael Buley
6 years ago
Reply to  S N Smith

In Islam’s 1,400 history, there is documentation that Muslims have killed hundreds of millions of people.

Mahou Shoujo
Mahou Shoujo
6 years ago
Reply to  S N Smith

Not nearly enough.

IzlamIsTyranny
IzlamIsTyranny
6 years ago
Reply to  S N Smith

A study fully funded by islamic petrodollars where facts are manufactured to fit the narrative.

Michael Buley
Michael Buley
6 years ago

This is all extremely suspect. I’ve read some sources that say Paddock was a CIA operative, had a history with the CIA. As with Sandy Hook, and many others, whatever we are told by MSM and politicians, is almost surely a lie, with bits of ‘truth’ … This is, at its core, another attempt to implement gun confiscation in this country.

santashandler
santashandler
6 years ago
Reply to  Michael Buley

100% true. Proof of that was Hillary popped up out of nowhere not eight hours after the shooting to offer condolences to the victims? Of course not (that’s not important). But, to lay blame on the NRA and Trump for not implementing gun control. As though she already had that prepared way ahead of time. The whole thing stinks. I would not discount for a second that Paddock was somehow involved with those darker elements. This smells of a black ops job anyway. As the days go on, the more questions we have, the more it looks like that is what it is.

Ziggy46
Ziggy46
6 years ago
Reply to  Michael Buley

Agreed, Michael; however, we will never know the truth. The MSM will lead the gullible and naive down the Yellow Brick Road; the agenda of the said agencies and politicos is always the same… as mentioned gun confiscation.

Michael Buley
Michael Buley
6 years ago
Reply to  Ziggy46

I won’t even read the MSM stuff on this. As far as I’m concerned, it’s all an agenda, a fiction they will create to justify the means to their end. Even Bill O’Reilly dismissed anything other than ‘it was a lone shooter’ … and put down any other ‘conspiracies.’ I’ve liked him for a long time. With that remark — this early in the game — I’m now convinced he is part of it, too.

Ziggy46
Ziggy46
6 years ago
Reply to  Michael Buley

The MSM is always orgasmic when a tragedy such as this occurs; it feeds their agenda or more so, feeding-frenzy. O’Reilly is an intelligent man to the chagrin of the left; at this moment in time, however, everyone is juggling theories and conjecture. We may be be told the truth one day… it won’t be by the MSM. My brain is turning to mush… I must take a break or I will go insane.

Michael Buley
Michael Buley
6 years ago
Reply to  Ziggy46

Ziggy, I know the feeling!! lol … we definitely need breaks from this. I want to be aware … and I want to be functional and still enjoy each day! We never know when it’s our last! I’m determined that, no matter what — if it’s in my control — my last breath will be a good laugh at all of this insanity!

Ziggy46
Ziggy46
6 years ago
Reply to  Michael Buley

Michael, you are an intelligent man; this insanity has a way of eating me and others from the inside out. It is a challenge to be functional at the best of times… a wee long-in-the-tooth to be honest.

True, we never know when it it’s our last… the last thing I would do is go to a misfortune-teller to learn my fate. “To have the last laugh at all of this insanity”, it is now on my Bucket-List, thanks to you, Michael. Take care.

Michael Buley
Michael Buley
6 years ago
Reply to  Ziggy46

Ziggy, I have had my years of this stuff eating me up. I ebb and flow … lol … sometimes just too much. So much insanity; I swear this world is completely insane, and we’re the insane ones for seeing it!

I love that movie ‘The Bucket List.’ I have no list, other than … to laugh at the last! I hope I do! Not some tragic ending where I don’t have that moment! My wants are simple! It does make for a happier life, through all of the insanity!

Take good care, Ziggy. Whatever is on the other side, I think it’s going to be good.

Ziggy46
Ziggy46
6 years ago
Reply to  Michael Buley

Michael, the years of this stuff at times leaves my mind in tatters. My concern, as I have had my shot at the proverbial brass-ring, is the younger generations for obvious reasons.

You are right, Michael, simple wants, less inane and insane static intruding on one’s life. Indeed, Michael, I, too, have faith that whatever is on the other side is going to be good. Not, however, the 72 virgins promised to those wreaking mayhem and death in the name of a supposed religion. Inanity still has me in its grasp! Dang!

Take care, as well, Michael.

Michael Buley
Michael Buley
6 years ago
Reply to  Ziggy46

I’m 62. I’ve been very blessed through all the ups and downs. I’ve had my ride, and I am grateful. If it all came to an end today, I think I can meet God and Jesus at peace — and grateful!!

I have 3 kids, 3 grandkids … I hate to think of what this world might look like in a generation. It just seems it’s a freak show, and whatever we’ve seen, we ain’t seen nothin’ yet!

Islam? the embodiment of Satan. My days do ebb and flow, sometimes I just can’t stop reading about it — maybe it’s like seeing a car wreck, and our fascination with horror, I don’t know. I will say that, on these boards, I have have the privilege of meeting some really wonderful people who give me hope, and remind me of how good we have had it. Whether we survive this, whether freedom survives, whether the white race survives, I don’t know.

It’s mostly out of our hands. But I do carry with me wherever I go! At least I hope to have a gun in my hand when and if the time comes. “Live free or die.” Here’s to freedom, Ziggy. Thanks a lot for taking the time to talk with me. You’re one of those wonderful people, my friend!

Ziggy46
Ziggy46
6 years ago
Reply to  Michael Buley

Michael, I, too, have been blessed, the ups and downs continue; however, I am grateful for what I have not what I have missed or have not achieved. You are right, without faith, it must be similar to running on empty. As horrific as the tragedy was in Vegas, witnessing strangers placing themselves in peril to aid others was refreshing and inspiring. It helped me sitting comfortably at home watching it unfold on TV regain my faith in humanity. Evil, as we know, is tangible. I have debated this with a denial mindset; it is easier to blame God for the world’s woes than humankind or evil. Where was God when…?

You are not alone, Michael, being unable to stop reading about the unending, incessant insanity and malevolence on this forlorn planet. This site and others confirm that we are not alone in our endeavor to maintain our rights as Christians, Jews, or whatever one may be… obviously not Islam. I do believe we will survive; nevertheless, it will not be a cakewalk.
As you mentioned, it is the younger generations, our children, grandchildren and hopefully subsequent generations. It is out of our hands in the long haul.

I am seventy-one, never thought I’d make it this far. Lol! Like you, a lot of water has passed under the bridge… thankfully, I didn’t burn too many throughout my life.

As mentioned it is mostly out of our hands. “Live free or die” encapsulates it well.

Take care, Michael, my friend. Keep the faith, the spirit and be resolute. Thanks, I, also, enjoyed the chat with you, my friend.

AlgorithmicAnalystD
AlgorithmicAnalyst
6 years ago

The Philippine Government had a very big incentive to deny it was a Muslim terrorist attack, so it isn’t surprising that they lied.

Kalambong Kalambong
Kalambong Kalambong
6 years ago

The government of the Philippines and that of Malaysia are incentivized to lie about this case

That ‘Resort World’ is owned by a Malaysian company, and Malaysia is a chief sponsor of islamic terrorism inside South East Asia, including those inside the Philippines

Mahou Shoujo
Mahou Shoujo
6 years ago

“We cannot relate it to terrorism because he did not shoot anybody,” National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde told reporters on Friday, June 2″. The same taqiyya, the destruction of the world trade caster was not terrorism, because no one was shot. How stupid can a public official get and still manage to dress themselves?

santashandler
santashandler
6 years ago
Reply to  Mahou Shoujo

Well, a manchurian candidate doesn’t need to worry about dressing themselves, as they have to be always “on.”

IzlamIsTyranny
IzlamIsTyranny
6 years ago
Reply to  Mahou Shoujo

Good catch.
In the bombing of the WTC in the 1990’s no one was shot either, so I guess that’s not islamic terrorism by the enemedia’s estimation.
Ditto for all the stabbings going on allah over the world committed by muslums — none of them must be islamic terrorism because no one was shot.

freepetta
freepetta
6 years ago

I believe one of the terror groups were involved here. I also believe that Paddock used track or disposable phones to talk to his terrorist connections.

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