Pakistan Offers Manila Custody of Terror Suspect Umar Patek

Manila. Filipino officials say Pakistani intelligence authorities have asked them if they have interest in taking custody of a top Asian terrorist suspect who hid for years in the southern Philippines.

Two Philippine security officials said on Thursday that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency also asked Indonesia, which is Umar Patek's home country, if it wants to take him.

Patek has long been wanted in his country for his alleged role in the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people in Southeast Asia's worst terrorist attack. He then fled to the Philippines where he allegedly plotted deadly attacks with local militants.

Pakistan has taken steps to relinquish custody of Patek and his Filipino wife after capturing them on Jan. 25.


source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/