NCRPO floats Alex Boncayao Brigade resurgence amid ASEAN preps

Military and police intelligence operatives are monitoring members of the Alex Boncayao Brigade (ABB) ahead of the week-long activities in Metro Manila commemorating ASEAN's 50th anniversary.

"[W]e are monitoring some groups who are actually present here in Metro Manila, who are 'balik-Islam' and other former members of the ABB, who suspectedly nag-balik Islam, 'no. So these are all being monitored in relation to this meeting," National Capital Region Police Office Director Oscar Albayalde said during a briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday.

Albayalde stressed that they have not received any threat regarding the regional gathering, which will include foreign dignitaries arriving in the country for the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.

The authorities are also keen on conducting target-hardening measures in critical areas and possible lairs or safe houses of suspected terror groups.

Some of the enclaves the authorities are monitoring are Maharlika Village in Taguig as well as Quiapo district and Baseco Compound in Manila.

"But as of this time, wala naman tayong namo-monitor na movement nila that would probably disrupt this ASEAN meeting," he added.

Albayalde clarified his comment about "balik-Islam," saying that not all those who choose to convert to Islam are considered possible threats. But, he added, the authorities are not ruling out the possibility that ABB members did so to find a new group to support their activities.

"Baka nakita kasi nila ito ‘yung parang sumisikat ngayon eh. Especially ‘yung alam nating nangyayari sa Mindanao, ‘yung Maute group, most of them are balik-Islam. So, iyon ‘yung most probably naging option nila to be active again," he said.

Albayalde said that the ABB was the Communist Party of the Philippines' liquidation squad before breaking away.

"Hindi naman most probably related sa ASEAN ang gagawin nila. But what we’re avoiding here is any incident even outside the venue or even outside dito sa Parañaque or Pasay kung saan, ‘no. Like what happened before doon sa Quiapo. Then people would always relate things that would happen outside the venue doon sa ASEAN,"  he said.

Around 13,000 uniformed personnel and 1,286 from other agencies are expected to be deployed to secure 1,700 delegates for the 50th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and related activities.

The delegates will be billeted in 21 hotels in Metro Manila, particularly in Parañaque, Pasay, and Makati.

The ASEAN events will be held from August 2 to 8 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, the Philippine International Convention Center, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, which are all located in the CCP Complex in Pasay City. — BM, GMA News