Bato admits security lapses in Mindanao
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa admitted Monday, March 5, that the government forces fell short in conducting operations to make sure that the remnants of the Maute Group will not be able to escape from Mindanao.
“May pagkukulang tayo sa pagbabantay sa kanila kung paano sila makalabas pero in fairness sa security natin sa Mindanao hindi mo talaga pwede i-cordon off ang buong isla ng Mindanao (We fell short but, in fairness, you cannot really cordon off the entire Mindanao),” Dela Rosa said during the presentation of Abdul Nasser Lomondot, a Maute sub-leader who was arrested on Saturday in Tondo, Manila.
“Kung paisa-isa silang lumalayas not unless siguro mag-move sila by team mga armado o kahit walang armas basta mapagdudahan magkakaroon tayo ng appropriate actions against them dahil kakalat yan pero kung isa-isa lang mahirap,” he added.
(It would be easy to detect their movements if move in groups and they are armed. But if they move individually, it is really difficult to catch them.)
Lomondot was among the Maute members who were able to escape from the war zone prior to the declaration of Marawi’s liberation.
From Marawi, investigation showed that Lomondot moved to Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental province and made his way to Manila using a fictitious name.
He arrived in Manila in January and stayed with his relatives and his wife, Raisalam Lomondot, in Tondo.
Dela Rosa noted that despite the imposition of martial law in the entire
Mindanao, some terrorists have managed to elude the checkpoints and make their way to Manila.
He said they do not have a valid excuse for this but “what’s important is that they are being arrested” and operations are being conducted in order to neutralize them.
He also said martial law is the main reason for their move to Manila.
“No excuse tayo dyan talagang nakasibat sila at nakarating ditto. Wala tayong alibi na pwedeng sabihin tungkol jan. If it appears na may pagkukulang kami well accept namin ‘yun na may pagkukulang kami kaya sila nakalabas sa Mindnao at nakapasok dito sa Metro Manila,” he said.
“But the most important thing is nahuli sila ditto. But continuous ang ating monitoring, hindi ko na sabihin sainyo kung ano aming capability para magmonitor basta tahimik lang tayo, importante nahuli sila at hindi nakapaghasik ng lagim,” he added.
Dela Rosa said the public should not be alarmed over terrorists seeking refuge in Metro Manila. But he said they should continue to be alert and vigilant against any suspicious person or group in their area.
“Alam ba ninyo kaya nahuli sila dahil may mga local na vigilant at alerto na tumulong sa ating kapulisan at kasundaluhan para matukoy ang kanilang kinaroroonan. Hindi lang natin pwedeng sabihin dahil kawawa naman sila mga kapwa nila Maranao na nag-inform sa atin baka resbakan naman sila, kaya kanya-kanyang tulungan nalang yan, kaya if you love this country you should cooperate with the government,” he said.
Dela Rosa assured that the security forces are on their toes in ensuring that the terror group will not be able to stage attacks in the metro.
He also reiterated that terror groups cannot stage another attack similar to that in Marawi since anytime soon they still have a lot to do such as recruitment, training and gathering of equipment necessary for such attack.
Meanwhile, Dela Rosa said he will not recommend the declaration of martial law in Metro Manila.
“Hindi naman primary destination (ng terrorist ang Metro Manila) it just so happens na marami silang relative na nandito sa Metro Manila kaya dito sila nag-seek ng refuge pero sa ibang province din naman marami silang mapupuntahan doon. If talking of number marami silang puntahan dito but as I have said not all Maute are coming to Manila escaping from Mindanao are here to create havoc but they are her to seek refuge lang,” he said.
“Porke nakalusot sa Mindanao nakapunta dito Metro Manila extend na rin dito ang martial law. We cannot make excuses for our weakness, ibig sabihin ba porket naging weak tayo sa Mindanao nakarating sils dito damay narin Metro Manila sa martial law. No we will not be recommending martial law in Metro Manila,” he added. SunStar Philippines