PNP checking reports of militant threat to NCR

THE PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) said yesterday it was checking reports that militants may be planning attacks in the National Capital Region (NCR), even as it said it had yet to verify such a plot and that the public should not be alarmed by a leaked police report on this matter.

At the same time, Malacañang dismissed concerns by US officials that Marawi City is becoming a “hub” for jihadist fighters aligned with the Islamic State (IS), saying troops managed to prevent militants from establishing a caliphate for IS in the besieged city.

The bloody battle against proIS Maute gunmen in Marawi has prompted US officials, including lawmakers, to call for a “bigger” US military role in the urban warfare, according to a report by the Associated Press on June 19.

In his press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella said it is “unlikely” for Marawi to become a “new hub” for IS fighters.

“The military has already preempted the Maute group from establishing a wilayah or province in Marawi,” Mr. Abella said, adding that Washington’s role in countering IS- affiliated fighters is to provide technical assistance to Philippine military “as prescribed by the Constitution.”

“We will abide by that,” the spokesperson added.

In Metro Manila, police have been on high alert since fighting erupted last month in Marawi, the predominantly Muslim city some 1,000 kilometers south of the national capital.

“We have no confirmation whatsoever of any terror attack in Manila,” PNP NCR Director Oscar D. Albayalde told ANC television, responding to concern about a leaked police intelligence report warning of bomb attacks that spread on social media.

He said the leaked report was genuine but said it contained raw information that was distributed to police units to check and seek verification.

The internal memo, dated June 16, said police had information that members of the Maute group were planning to set off bombs in Metro Manila.

“The content of the memorandum is meant for validation and confirmation, it’s not meant to scare the public,” Mr. Albayalde said, adding that he had ordered an investigation into how the document was leaked. He said police were “on top of the situation” and people should not be alarmed.

Financial markets were largely unruffled by fears of violence, even amid the battle that has dragged on for a month as of Tuesday. Military aircraft bombed rebel positions and ground troops launched a renewed push that day against the militants holed up in a section of the city. — reports by Reuters and