The Philippine National Police recently revealed an alleged plan by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement to bolster its presence in the Philippines by inciting violence against Israelis in the southeast Asian country.

On Feb. 15, the Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted police intelligence chief Brig. Gen. Neil Alinsangan as saying that his unit had unveiled a Hamas plot against Israeli targets in the Philippines after exchanging information with other security services in the Philippines and abroad. The intelligence showed links between a Palestinian-based group in the country and a Hamas operative identified as Fares al-Shikli, the alleged head of Hamas’ Foreign Liaison Section. There is an Interpol red notice for Shikli, who is accused of logistical support for terrorism.

According to the article, Alinsangan said, “Our Filipino source identified the Hamas operative as ‘Bashir’ who was reportedly attempting to establish a foothold in the Philippines with pledges of financial support to some local threat groups including militant extremists with links to the international terrorist organizations.”

Alinsangan said that in “late 2017, Fares Al Shikli expressed his intention with the source to recruit Filipinos with links to local threat groups that will be utilized to kill Jews in the country, conduct rallies at selected embassies and spread video propaganda in exchange of financial support.”