PNP warns rally organizers of infiltrators

“In these kinds of activities, especially where people converge, we advise their ranks that they should be careful, remain vigilant, avoid being infiltrated. Remember, there are times that rallies like that are infiltrated by provocateurs who take advantage of the situation and result in an armed encounter between them and the police,” Albayalde said. (PNA photo)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday cautioned groups holding Labor Day rallies to ensure that their ranks will not be infiltrated by members of violent terror groups such as the Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM).

This comes after the arrest of two alleged Islamic radicals last week and who were presented to newsmen by the PNP Monday.

PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde presented the two, namely Jimuel Velasco Dizon, alias Amir; and Eddie Boy Alejo Bermejo alias Abdullah, both of whom are Balik Islam converts and former RSM members.

They were arrested in separate operations in Cabuyao and Sta. Rosa City, Laguna and were identified as members of the Suyuful Khilafa Fil Luzon.

Albayalde said no definite plan for an attack was recovered from the suspects who yielded four handguns, ammunition, grenades, a laptop, and an ISIS flag.

Two search warrants, signed by San Pablo City Regional Trial Court Branch 32 Judge Agripino Morga, were served on the two men on Block 31, Lot 114 Joshua St., Phase 5, Mabuhay Subdivision, Barangay Mamatid, Cabuyao City, Laguna and on Block 17, Lot 18, Celina Homes 5 Subdivision, Barangay Tagapo, Sta. Rosa City, also in Laguna early Thursday.

At present, Albayalde said there seems to be no specific threat from the RSM, whose members had been trained and financed by both the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah terror groups.

“As of this time, we are not getting any information but we have also our intelligence personnel to monitor that,” Albayalde said.

“In these kinds of activities, especially where people converge, we advise their ranks that they should be careful, remain vigilant, avoid being infiltrated. Remember, there are times that rallies like that are infiltrated by provocateurs who take advantage of the situation and result in an armed encounter between them and the police,” Albayalde said.

“In their ranks they should know who are insiders. They should cleanse their ranks and identify people because there are other groups that could probably take advantage of this, not only local terrorist groups but also their allies,” he added. (PNA)