PNP chief: Maute group has established presence in Metro Manila

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said Tuesday the Lanao-based Maute group now has established its presence in Metro Manila with the arrest of its member in Quezon City.

"This discovery leads us to believe that the Maute group has already established presence in Metro Manila. As to what extent, that is the subject of our follow-up investigations and operations," Dela Rosa said in a press conference where he presented the suspect.

Suspected Maute group member Nasip Ibrahim, 35, was arrested in Salam Compound in Barangay Culiat Monday evening.

Seized from him were two caliber .45 pistols, a submachine gun, an improvised explosive device (IED) with a 60-mm mortar, and seven sachets of suspected shabu.

Dela Rosa said Ibrahim was part of the group that tried to bomb Rizal Park in November last year. The plan failed and the group instead planted an IED near the United States Embassy.

Ibrahim is the fifth member of the group arrested. Earlier arrested were Jiaher Guinar, Rayson Kilala alias Rashid Kilala, Mohammad Jumao-As alias Madie, and Elmer Romero alias Jamal.

Information gathered by the police showed Ibrahim was the driver of the vehicle (XKT 424) used during the attempted attack. He drove the vehicle carrying the improvised explosive device from Mindanao to Metro Manila. 

Days before the attempted attack, Ibrahim met with alleged plotters Isnadie Ibrahim alias Bro Akh and Inspire, Najib, and Rashid near SM Marilao.

Isnadie is the suspect’s uncle and the sub-leader who planned the IED attack in Metro Manila.

Police said Ibrahim facilitated the accommodation of the group in Park Villa along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City where they stayed for two nights. They said Ibrahim has been in Manila since 1992 and owns a sari-sari store, ticketing, and money remittance outlet in the area.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Oscar Albayalde said a certain Yusof Macoto, an alleged Imam in Tejeros Mosque in Tanza, Cavite, is the mastermind of the foiled bombing and is believed to be facilitating Jihad teachings.

He said Macato is still at large.

Bomb plot foiled

He said the PNP has foiled another attempt by the ISIS-inspired Maute group to launch terrorist activities with the arrest of Ibrahim.

"I am glad that alert operatives of the NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) discovered and intercepted in time an improvised explosive device (IED) being prepared by the suspects even before it can be delivered to its possible target or used elsewhere," he said.

Albayalde said the mortar seized from Ibrahim was supposed to be used in an IED that will be utilized for either Traslacion or Miss Universe.

“Apparently itong nakuha ng mortar shell, the one also supposed to be used doon sa naganap na Traslacion at Miss Universe. That’s why we have that threat during those period na ginawa yung Traslacion,” he said.

He said from the usual 1,000 police personnel deployed during Translacion, they used 4,700 men.

Dela Rosa, meanwhile, said he does not want to sound alarmist or cause panic, "but prudence, it has been said, is the better part of valor."

"I therefore, urge our people to remain calm yet alert and vigilant of the presence of threat groups in our midst," he added.

He said the PNP, in cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, remains on high alert against any terror threat. —ALG/RSJ/KBK, GMA News