An Australian national arrested in the Philippines with suspected links to foreign Islamist militants in Syria and Iraq faces deportation for violating immigration laws, authorities said on Saturday.
Authorities apprehended Robert Edward “Musa” Cerantonio on Friday in the central province of Cebu and flew him to Manila, where he is detained.
The 29-year-old was arrested for being an undocumented foreigner after Australian authorities cancelled his passport on July 7, Immigration Chief Siegfried Mison said, adding that his activities “pose a risk to public interest.” “Cerantonio will be deported to Australia when all the documents necessary for deportation are complete,” he said.
Mr. Mison did not give a date for the deportation, noting that immigration authorities still need to check with law enforcement agencies and courts if Cerantonio has a pending case in the country.
Police described Cerantonio as a “jihadist preacher”, who has been using social media websites to call for jihad and encourage Filipino Muslims to support the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.
Authorities are still checking if he has links with local terrorists.
