Suspected Maute group sub-leader in Manila to seek refuge and not wreak havoc — PNP chief Bato

The suspected Maute group sub-leader who was arrested over the weekend sought refuge in Manila and had no plan to wreak havoc as initial investigation showed, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said Monday.

Dela Rosa said Abdul Nasser Lomondot, who was arrested by the Manila Police District and military intelligence agents, has been in Manila since January. He was arrested along with his wife Raisalam along CM Recto in Divisoria, Manila on Saturday at 5:10 p.m.

"Nandito siya sa Manila since January of this year, not to create havoc but to seek refuge dahil nga naipit sila sa Mindanao, ongoing ang martial law sa Mindanao kaya sumibat siya doon pumunta dito sa Metro Manila para mag-lie low, para to seek refuge, hindi para magwreak ng havoc sa metro manila. So far yan ang naestablish natin ngayon," Dela Rosa said.

CPNP Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa presents alleged Maute group sub-leader Abdul Nasser Lomondot who was arrested at Recto Avenue, Manila last Saturday. | via @marllybondoc pic.twitter.com/UV2ZiAttEW

— GMA News (@gmanews) March 4, 2018

He was arrested along with his partner identified as Raisalam Lomondot. | via @marllybondoc pic.twitter.com/o2TpP5tHO6

— GMA News (@gmanews) March 4, 2018

Abdul Nasser was presented before the media at Camp Crame while his wife who had complained of stomach pain is currently confined at the Ospital ng Maynila, according to Manila Police District head Chief Superintendent Joel Coronel.

Abdul Nasser, who is said to have underwent training at a local Daesh camp in Butig, Lanao del Sur, was personally linked to the slain terrorist leader Omar Maute and had also took part as one of the combatants in the siege of Marawi City last year, Coronel said.

He is also said to be involved in the attack of a Civilian Auxiliary Detachment in Barangay Mantapoli in Marantao, Lanao del Sur during the Marawi siege.

"Before the liberation of Marawi, some time in October last year, he was one of those who were fortunate to escape the entrapment [operations] being conducted by the military and November he transferred to Lanao del Sur going to Cagayan de Oro and then according to our interrogation, he sought shelter here in Manila last January to escape and avoid the ongoing military operations in Mindanao," Coronel said.

Coronel added that Abdul Nasser has been using a "fictitious name" when he came to Manila. He has been in Manila since January and was monitored at the Laguindingan International Airport, Cagayan de Oro on February 15. He was also monitored along the CDO-Iligan Road of the same day.

He was also continuously seen in Tondo, Manila from February 20 to 28 and from March 1 to 3.

Abdul Nasser, meanwhile, had attempted to detonate a grenade from his bag while his wife Raisalam had also caused rucks to prevent the arrest. They were, however, successfully subdued by the police operatives and recovered from their possession were a grenade and a handgun.

The couple had been presented before the prosecutor on Sunday for the inquest proceedings. — RSJ, GMA News