The Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Friday said that the authorities arrested three members of the Abu Sayyaf Group who allegedly plotted an attack during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
The three suspects were caught in a joint operation conducted by the Quezon City Police District and the National Bureau of Investigation Counter-Terrorism Division on November 10 at 5:51 p.m. in Salam Compound, Barangay Culiat, Quezon City.
The ASG members were identified as Abdulgaffar Jikiri, 19; Alim Sabtalin, 19; and Sadam Jhofar, 24.
“Hindi sila umamin (They did not admit of their plans) but apparently, through our diligent efforts in conducting investigation, apparently may plano sila (they have plans) any terror attack that would cause damage to the representation of the Philippine government as a host of the Asean Summit,” Dela Rosa said.
It was found out in an investigation, through the suspects’ social media accounts, that they attempted to attack malls, public parks, and the Philippine International Convention Center where the main venue of the 31st Asean Summit and Asean Related Summits in the Philippines was held.
Dela Rosa said that the intelligence community confirmed that the three suspects are members of the ASG.
“Ongoing pa ‘yung profiling sa kanila. Pero confirmed by the intelligence community ng AFP, PNP at NBI na members sila ng Abu Sayyaf Group (The profiling is still ongoing. But the intelligence community of the AFP, PNP, and the NBI confirmed that they are members of the Abu Sayyaf Group)” said Dela Rosa.
The suspects were caught a few days before ASEAN leaders and officials arrived in the country.