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PNP investigates reports on ISIS existence in Mindanao
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is currently investigating reports that there were members of Islamic State (ISIS) who have set foot in the Philippines by pretending to be fishermen, the PNP’s spokesperson said on Tuesday, March 6. (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is currently investigating reports that there were members of Islamic State (ISIS) who have set foot in the Philippines by pretending to be fishermen, the PNP’s spokesperson said on Tuesday, March 6.
“Dito naman sa atin, sa Visayas and Luzon naman (Here in our country, particularly in Visayas and Luzon), ang (The) security forces, the military, the intelligence community and the PNP are on top of the situation. We are doing our part in seeing to it that our people will be protected,” PNP Spokesperson Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao was quoted as saying in an ABS-CBN report.
According to the report, the information about the potential existence of ISIS in the country came from a confidential police document which was leaked online.
Dated February 27 this year, the document was intended to the regional and city directors of PNP Northern Mindanao. The intelligence authorities were advised to confirm a text message, noing that ISIS bombers and bomb makers have entered the Philippines by posing as fishermen.
It said that the terrorists were eyeing malls and plazas in major cities as its targets, including major areas in Northern and Southern Luzon. This memo was penned by a certain Police Superintendent Rodolfo Hernandez.
The authenticity of this document was confirmed by Bulalacao, saying that they are now conducting ongoing probe to determine how it was circulated to the public.
“Kasalukuyang iniimbestigahan itong insidenteng ito dahil apparently nagkaroon sila ng lapse sa pag-observe nila ng security protocol on documents security (We are currently investigating this incident because apparently, they had lapse on their security protocol),” he stressed.
Bulalacao, however, said that these reports regarding possible presence of ISIS in Mindanao should not prompt panic or alarm.
ISIS-inspired Maute regroups
Meanwhile, the Philippine Army (PA) on March 5, said that about 300 fighters from the ISIS-inspired group have regrouped to plan other attacks.
Army’s 1st infantry division spokesperson Major Ronald Suscano said that the Maute group escaped before the government troops were able to reclaim Marawi City and eliminate its leaders.
In a Reuters report, Suscano told the reporters, “They are regrouping, restraining, and recruiting for another attack.” He added that the fighters even divided themselves into smaller groups with some going to the capital city of Manila to conduct bombings.
Last Sunday, a suspected subleader and a member of the Maute group were arrested in Tondo, Manila. The subleader was identified as Nasser Lomondot aka Muhamad Lomondot, while the suspected member was Rizasalam Lomondot.
