PNP hasn’t monitored anything yet on operations of terror groups in NCR, Gamboa says

Police have not monitored anything yet on the offensives of local terror groups in the National Capital Region following the recent operation in Parañaque City, which led to the killing of a suspected Abu Sayyaf member and financial conduits of the Dawlah Islamiya, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said on Monday.

"I want to make [it] clear that the apprehension made last week is the financial conduit so ito 'yung sa finances, nothing yet about operations, offensives nila in Metro Manila," Gamboa said at a press briefing.

Gamboa, however, clarified that there would always be constant threat from local terror groups in the Philippines as they have not stopped to exist.

"The threat would always be there. It's just a matter of how serious the threat is. Hindi naman ganon kaya sabi ko nga doon, let's emphasize the financial conduit 'yung naapprehend last week and operation is another topic. So, no need to worry," he said.

On Friday, authorities were just about to issue a warrant of arrest against Bensaudi Sali, who was supposedly a combatant of the Abu Sayyaf, in Barangay Don Bosco. 

Sali and his cohorts supposedly resisted arrest which then resulted in an encounter. Sali and other suspects, named as Merhama Abdul Sawari, Rasmin Hussin, and Jamal Kaliming, were all killed. They were tagged as financial conduit of the Dawlah Islamiya.

Authorities are also verifying information that the killed suspects were linked to the ISIS group.

For the part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the incident only shows that the COVID-19 pandemic could not prevent terror groups from doing lawless acts.

The military also noted that the incident only highlights the need for President Rodrigo Duterte to sign the controversial anti-terrorism bill in order to strongly combat terrorism in the country.

The anti-terrorism bill, which seeks to replace the Human Security Act, the country's existing law against terrorism, is being reviewed by Malacañang after it was passed by Congress despite apprehensions regarding some of its provisions. — RSJ, GMA News