Arrested ASG bomber sent to deliver medicine, supplies in Bohol – PNP
CEBU CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 revealed yesterday that Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bomb maker Renierlo Dongon admitted he was sent to Bohol to provide medicine and supplies to beleaguered bandits who clashed with military troops in Inabanga and Clarin towns and drop the supplies near the area where the terrorist were hiding.
Dongon denied he was in the resort island of Bohol to sow terror but Taliño said evidence seized from the hotel room in Panglao where Dongon
and police Superintendent Maria Cristina Nobleza were staying showed they were planning bomb attacks in the province.
Nobleza and Dongon who were on board a pick up were arrested Saturday when they tried to evade a military checkpoint laid out by government troops at the height of pursuit operations that led to the death of four ASG bandits in Clarin town.
The bandits were remnants of a group of Sulu-based ASG bandits who sailed to Inabanga town in Bohol to join ASG sympathizers who eventually died in the initial skirmish with government troops who were alerted by civilians about the arrival of armed men on board three motorboats in the coastal town of Inabanga.
Nobleza and Dongon are currently detained in Camp Crame where both are undergoing tactical interrogation.
“Our investigators are looking into all details. It would be a long background check up to the point when they first met,” said Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos, PNP spokesman.
There are reports that Nobleza had converted to Islam and married Dongon under Muslim rites.
The PNP would like to know the extent of Nobleza’s role in the intelligence gathering of the ASG being a seasoned intelligence officer.
Full red alert
Because of the Bohol incident, the Police Regional Office-8 in Eastern Visayas has placed its troops on full red alert as a precautionary measure to ensure the peace and order and the safety of the people in Eastern Visayas.
Chief Inspector Ma. Bella Rentuaya, PRO-8 regional information officer said the move is to thwart any possible attempt to sow terror in the region like the December 28, 2016 bombing at the public plaza in Hilongos, Leyte wherei35 people were injured.
Police findings revealed that the perpetrators were members of the Maute terror group.
Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar, the police regional director, has cancelled all vacation leaves of policemen unless in extreme cases.
They likewise intensified intelligence gathering especially in coastal areas of the region to thwart possible intrusion of armed groups.
Carlos said a case of illegal possession of firearms and explosive were filed against Nobleza in connection with the raid in her house in Malaybalay City in Bukidnon.
The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the PNP, meanwhile is currently preparing administrative charges against Nobleza which will include Conduct Unbecoming of a PNP officer and grave misconduct which carries a maximum penalty of dismissal from the service.
No less than President Duterte ordered the immediate detention of Nobleza and to make sure the PNP files as many cases against her “for sleeping with the enemy.” (With a report from Restituto A. Cayubit)