OSAMA BIN LADEN IS DEAD; NAIA ON ALERT STATUS / P-NOY, HARPER STATEMENTS
MANILA, MAY 2, 2011 (STAR) By Jun Pasaylo – Osama bin Laden was killed in a mansion outside Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, following a joint operation of the United States military and Pakistani forces few hours ago.
The incident prompted Philippine airport authorities to place Ninoy Aquino International Airport under heightened alert status staring 12:00 noon today as measures against any possible retaliation from the followers of the notorious terrorist leader.
In an advisory, the Manila International Airport Authority said they would implement precautionary measure to ensure the security and safety of airport users.
The following measures are currently being implemented at the NAIA complex -- strictly implement access control procedures on personnel and vehicles; conduct rigid inspection and challenge procedures at security checkpoints;
Intensify police visibility and APD-K-9 paneling at the terminals; maximize deployment of patrol vehicles at Aircraft Movement Areas and perimeter; intensify intelligence and monitoring operations; networking with other security and intelligence units; and perform other related functions as directed by higher authorities.
Notorious terrorist leader
The death of the notorious al-Qaeda leader came almost 10 years after the US government spearheaded the manhunt operation against him following the 9/11 attack, leaving nearly 3,000 Americans dead.
In a statement, US President Barack Obama said he authorized a special operation against Osama today, while citing that US operatives have the body of the notorious al-Qaeda leader who remained elusive for nearly 10 years.
Obama said the notorious terrorist was killed in Abbotabad, a mountainous town located some 60 kilometers north of Islamabad, while noting that U.S. cooperation with Pakistani counterparts led to the location of bin Laden.
"For the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic works of our military and our counter-terrorism professionals, we disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our homeland defense," he said.
Amid Osama's elusiveness to justice for nearly a decade, the US leader said he directed the director of the Central Intelligence Agency to "make the killing or capture of bin Ladin a top priority of our war against al-Qaeda."
Obama pointed out that he was briefed in August last year of a possible location of the al-Qaeda leader, hiding in a compound outside the capital of Pakistan.
"It took us many months to run this (operation) to ground… And finally, last week, I determined that we have enough intelligence to take action and authorized an operation to get bin Laden," he noted.
"Today, at my direction, the United States carried out an operation. A small team of American carried out the operation with extreme capability. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body," he pointed out.
A Pakistani intelligence official, spoke on condition of anonymity, said four helicopters launched the attack in the Bilal area of Abbottabad. One of the helicopters crashed after it apparently was hit by fire from the ground. He said the helicopters took off from a Pakistani air base in the north of the country.
The US President added that the death of bin Laden marked the significant achievement in the US campaign to defeat al-Qaeda, while citing that "the United States will not and is not at war with Islam".
Outside The White House, thousands of U.S. residents are cheering, shouting "USA!", waving flags while singing the "Star Spangled Banner".
For his part, former US President George W. Bush issued a statement saying, "Earlier this evening, President Obama called to inform me that American forces killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al Qaeda network that attacked America on September 11, 2001."
"I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude," he added.
This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done, the former US leader pointed out.
Aquino lauds US fight vs. terrosim
Meanwhile, President Benigno Aquino III said the death of bin Laden marked a signal defeat for the forces of extremism and terrorism.
"It represents the end of the efforts of one man to stoke the fires of sectarian hatred and to promote terrorism on a scale unprecedented in the history of mass murder," Aquino said in a statement.
He also noted that the incident also brought justice to over a dozen Filipinos who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 in the World Trade Center.
He added that the death of Osama bin Laden should not lull us into complacency, saying that the world must continue to consistently and courageously raise its collective voice against religious hatred, political intolerance, and terrorism of all kinds.
"We must remain vigilant and united in pursuing peace, pluralism, and collective efforts at security," he pointed out.
"Together with my national security team, we continue to take all relevant precautions and steps to ensure the safety of our people. We, as a democratic and free people, remain committed to fighting terrorism and are in solidarity with the peoples of the United Nations," he concluded.
Al-Qaeda and Abu Sayyaf connection
Meantime, the U.S. government believed there were strong connections between Osama's al-Qaeda terrorist network and the local Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) here.
Early U.S. reports revealed that Muhammad Jamal Khalifa, brother-in-law of Osama, met with ASG founder Abdurajak Janjalani in the 1990s.
ASG terrorists were trained by Ramzi Yousef, who was convicted in 1993 in the World Trade Center bombing, and who himself has links to Al Qaeda. Under the leadership of Janjalani, ASG was included in the international network of Islamic militants that was getting support from Osama. (AP photos)
President Aquino's statement on bin Laden's death (philstar.com) Updated May 02, 2011 03:03 PM
The death of Osama bin Laden marks a signal defeat for the forces of extremism and terrorism. It represents the end of the efforts of one man to stoke the fires of sectarian hatred and to promote terrorism on a scale unprecedented in the history of mass murder.
Let us not forget that this is not just an achievement for the United States. It has brought justice to over a dozen Filipinos who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 in the World Trade Center.
The death of Osama bin Laden should not lull us into complacency. The world must continue to consistently and courageously raise its collective voice against religious hatred, political intolerance, and terrorism of all kinds. We must remain vigilant and united in pursuing peace, pluralism, and collective efforts at security.
One sword has been beaten down; we must continue to be dedicated to the principle of beating the swords of terrorism into the plowshares of progress and peace.
Together with my national security team, we continue to take all relevant precautions and steps to ensure the safety of our people. We, as a democratic and free people, remain committed to fighting terrorism and are in solidarity with the peoples of the United Nations.
Stephen Harper's full statement on Osama bin Laden's death
Vancouver Sun May 1, 2011 10:22 PM
[Conservative leader and Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivers a statement on the death of Osama bin Laden in Abbotsford, British Columbia May 1, 2011. Canadians will head to the polls in a federal election on May 2. Bin Laden was killed on Sunday in a firefight with U.S. forces in Pakistan and his body was recovered, President Barack Obama announced on Sunday. Photograph by: Chris Wattie, REUTERS]
On Sept. 11, 2001, 24 Canadians were murdered in the Al Qaeda attack on the World Trade Centre. The death of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, reported today by President Obama, secures a measure of justice for these Canadians and their families.
Bin Laden's death does not end the threat of international terrorism. Sadly, others will take his place.
But, this does remind us why Canadian Armed Forces personnel have been deployed to Afghanistan: to deny Al Qaeda and organizations like it, the use of Afghanistan, where the 9/11 attack was conceived and planned.
Through their operations there to cut off terror at its root, our men and women in uniform have made an enormous contribution to Canadian security abroad.
Here, dedicated security officials work tirelessly and with success, to prevent similar attacks in Canada. Protection of the public is the first and most important duty of government.
Canada receives the news of the death of Osama bin Laden with sober satisfaction. We will continue to stand firm with our allies against the threat of global terrorism. © Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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