3 ISIS support group members nabbed

Also seized from them were assorted firearms and ammunitions and a grenade during the police operations. (PNA Photo)

MANILA — Authorities on Friday arrested three alleged members of the Islamic State-inspired terrorist group Dawlah Islamiya Ranao in separate operations in Parañaque and Rizal.

Lt. Col. Arnold Thomas Ibay, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-National Capital Region, Ibay identified the suspects as Norodin Abolkhair Manalinding, Cairo Gen Manatao and Tagoranao Dimaro Sarip Jr.

Manalinding and Manatao, both from Marawi City, were arrested around 3:30 a.

m. on Rimas St. in Barangay Baclaran for illegal possession of firearms and explosives, and for violation of Republic Act 7166 or An Act Providing for Synchronized National and Local Elections and for Electoral Reforms.

Manalinding is allegedly a finance facilitator and recruiter of the terror group.

Also seized from them were assorted firearms and ammunitions and a grenade during the police operations.

Three hours later, Sarip was arrested in a search warrant operation for illegal possession of firearms and explosives in Barangay Sto. Domingo in Cainta town.

Confiscated from him were assorted firearms and ammunitions, a grenade and a suspected ISIS flag.

Based on the investigation, Sarip was allegedly a propagandist, who is spreading propaganda for the group.

Ibay said the arrest of the three is a follow-up operation after the arrest of Jeran Aba, an alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf in Quiapo, Manila in December last year.

Aba, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), is part of a group, who planned to stage attack in the Metro during the holiday season.

“They are still under investigation but based on our initial information, they are support (personnel) for the ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) based here,” said Ibay.

However, he said there is no such information that the group is planning to stage attacks during Monday’s elections.

Ibay said the accomplishment of the CIDG is part of its focused law enforcement operations, in connection with the government’s intensified effort to track down identified members of the terror group.

“Their arrest shall give justice to the victims of their atrocities, ensure public safety and security and send a message to other members at-large that this government does not tolerate impunity,” he said.