Massive manhunt launched after bomber escapes jail

SOUTH-EAST Asian governments launched a massive security dragnet for a top Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) bomb-maker who bolted from a Philippine jail, as Western security partners warned of heightened threats to the region.

Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, neighbouring countries where Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi may try to reach if he eludes Philippine authorities, are cooperating in the hunt, officials said yesterday.

A “general alarm” has been raised by the Philippine military and police as well as intelligence agencies to find al-Ghozi, who escaped on Monday from a high-security cell inside Manila’s national police headquarters. A reward of more than €80,000 was also put up by the police for al-Ghozi. Filipino officials said the escape could be an inside job meant to embarrass President Gloria Arroyo.