Manila: An Australian preacher accused of having links with militants in Syria and Iraq will be deported following his arrest on Friday morning in Cebu.
Robert Edward Musa Cerantonio, 29, will be deported by the Philippines after the Australian government cancelled his passport on July 2. Following his arrest on Friday morning, he was flown under heavy security to Manila and has been under tight watch by agents of the national police and Bureau of Immigration.
Officials said Cerantonio was taken to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City following his arrival in Manila from Cebu.
He was arrested at around 5am on Friday in Lapu-Lapu City’s village of Paja.
“We are processing his papers for deportation to Australia,” Immigrations Commissioner Siegfried Mison was quoted by a GMA News report as saying, adding that the foreigner had violated the conditions of his stay in the Philippines.
Separate reports said Cerantonio had been issuing inflammatory statements over Internet video sharing sites, such as YouTube, and revealed in his Twitter posts that he was getting ready to join jihadists in the Middle East.
The Melbourne-born Cerantonio, who is of Italian-Irish heritage, arrived in the Philippines two weeks ago. He reportedly has a strong following in the Muslim Internet community.
Reports said he is wanted in his home country for his alleged involvement in the extremist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil).
The Sydney Morning Herald said Australian Federal Police have been investigating Cerantonio for violating his country’s laws.
The report further said that Australian authorities are “pursuing possible charges under Australia’s Foreign Incursions Act.”
Fighting and recruiting for foreign paramilitary organisations are outlawed under Australian federal law.
The Australian government has recently listed Isil as a “terrorist group” and condemned its actions in north-west Iraq and Mosul where the group has taken over a substantial territory.
“We continue to support the actions of the Government of Iraq to combat global terrorism, including in Anbar and Ninawa provinces. The Australian Government has listed Isil as a terrorist entity,” the Australian National Security website said.
Cerantonio was arrested together with a Filipino woman, Joean Montayre, 32, of Mandaue City.
Reports said authorities had not pressed charges against Montayre.
