Maute is in NCR

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday stood by its claim that Maute group, a local terrorist group with links to Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), is enjoying a safe haven in Metro Manila.

“Patuloy po ‘yung coordination ng AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] at PNP pertaining to the monitoring of the terror group or any armed group... Ang nabanggit po ng AFP is on the side of the AFP, sa amin ito po ‘yung naging result ng PNP,” said PNP spokesperson Dionardo Carlos.

“Hindi naman tayo kumontra. They are saying based sa monitoring nila wala. Itong sa atin (PNP) is resulta ng investigation and it appears someone is providing a safe haven for [Maute],” he added.

Following the arrest of Nasip Ibrahim by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) operatives on Monday evening, PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa revealed that Maute group is establishing presence in Metro Manila.

Ibrahim, a suspected member of the Maute group, was allegedly the one who drove the vehicle from Mindanao carrying the materials used in the manufacture of improvised explosive device (IED). The IED was used in the foiled bombing near the US Embassy in November.

Police said Ibrahim also facilitated the accommodation of other members of the terror group in Quezon City while they were planning the attack.

The AFP, for its part, denied the alleged presence of the Maute group in the capital, hours after Dela Rosa made the statement.

However, in a press conference on Wednesday, AFP Public Affairs Office (PAO) chief Edgard Arevalo said the AFP is not discounting the possibility that the Maute group is extending its reach in Metro Manila.

He said they are still verifying the information provided by the PNP.

“We cannot discount the possibility that the Maute group may do diversionary tactics to ease up operations against them,” Arevalo said.