Authorities foil ASG ‘terror plot’ ahead of ASEAN Summit

FILE: Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa (Photo: Philippine National Police/ Facebook)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced Friday that its operatives, with the help of intelligence and security agencies, have foiled an attempt of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) to conduct an “urban terror attack” in Metro Manila, days before the 31st ASEAN Summit in Pasay City.

In a press conference at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, in a report by Radyo Pilipinas, identified the suspects as Abdulgaffar Jikiri alias Abu Bakar Jikiri, 19; Sadam Jhofar, 24; and Alim Sabtalin, 19, all residents of 504 Salaam Compound, Barangay Culiat, Quezon City.

Operatives of the Quezon City Police District, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and the National Bureau of Investigation-Counter Terrorism Division arrested the terrorists at 5:15 p.m. on November 10.

Seized from their possession were two .45-caliber pistols, a 9-mm. handgun, assorted ammunition, M-203 rifle grenades, and cellphones.

Dela Rosa said the three were planning to conduct “an urban terror attack”, which was successfully foiled by authorities.

The suspects were charged before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for violating Section 28 of Republic Act No. 10591 or the “Act Providing for a Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof” and for violating the 15-day gun ban set for the ASEAN Summit period.