MANILA: The military assured the public yesterday that there is no serious terrorist threat in Metro Manila despite reports that security forces have foiled an attempt by extremists to bomb the metropolis.
Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt Col Harold Cabunoc said Metro Manila residents do not need to worry because government forces are doing what they can to ensure their safety.
“We did not monitor any serious threat,” Cabunoc said in an interview.
“There is no need to worry because we will just continue our close coordination with the Philippine police. We have supporters in the communities who can help us in maintaining security,” he added.
Yesterday, authorities said a plan to bomb Metro Manila has been foiled after the arrest of three men with links to an extremist group in Quezon City.
Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano identified the suspects as Ricardo Ayeras, Andrescio Valdez and Ricky Macapagal, who were nabbed near Muñoz Market at the corner of EDSA and Roosevelt Avenue last Sunday.
Superintendent Pedro Sanchez, QCPD Station 2 commander, said the suspects had been under surveillance by the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) and the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
“They are tracking the suspects for their alleged plan to conduct bombings in Metro Manila,” Sanchez said. ISAFP agents and police officers flagged down the suspects on a Honda motorcycle for not wearing helmets.
Ayeras is reportedly a member of the Rajah Solaiman Movement who had been charged over the Awang airport bombing in Datu Odin Sinsuat.
Police said Macapagal, who was driving the motorcycle, failed to present a driver’s license.
Albano said Ayeras yielded a hand grenade and an identification card bearing his photo but with the name “Ely Mariano Faiso.”
Valdez also yielded an ID card bearing his photo but with the name “Michael Anderson Sarcia.” Another ID also had his photo but with the name “Najib Habalo”.
Cabunoc urged the public to help authorities in preventing terrorist acts and untoward incidents.
“Reporting highly suspicious activities is the responsibility not only of the armed forces but also the public,” Cabunoc said.
THE PHILIPPINE STAR
