PNP watching foreigners over terrorism links

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is now monitoring some foreigners who have entered the country for their possible ties with local terrorist groups, particularly those based in Mindanao.

Director General Oscar Albayalde, PNP Chief, said that based on police intelligence monitoring, some of these foreigners are from Indonesia.

“We are monitoring alleged foreigners but we cannot confirm that they are terrorists or ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) members,” said Albayalde.

“We have a few listed foreign names especially coming from Indonesia but we cannot really confirm if they are really members of the ISIS or terrorist group,” he added,

Albayalde’s statement came as the police have filed and continuously running after those responsible for the bombings in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat and Lamitan City in Basilan.

The official, however, said that the threats of bombings are always present, noting that terror groups are just waiting for any opportunity to strike.

In fact, he said bombing and other form of terror attack also happen in other countries, including the highly-developed ones.

“With regard to threat to terrorism, I have been saying ever since that the threat of terrorism is already global, it’s there. It can occur anytime,” said Albayalde.

What is important, according to him, is that the PNP and other security forces are exerting all efforts to deny terror groups the opportunity to carry out their attacks.