Military monitoring Maute personalities in Metro

A senior anti-terrorism official yesterday confirmed the presence of several members of the Islamic State-inspired Maute terror group in Metro Manila, who are suspected of plotting bombing runs during the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

The anti-terror official assured the public that government intelligence agents are closely monitoring the activities of the Maute group.

“Indeed, there are Maute group personalities already here but they’re not bombers. For now we don’t have any monitoring that they are plotting to launch any terroristic activities,” he said.

There are reports that the Maute and their cohorts from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters are plotting to conduct bombing runs in Manila to disrupt the Traslacion, the traditional procession of the Black Nazarene.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said the police force has put in place the necessary security adjustments to ensure threats are thwarted.

This includes the deployment of augmentation forces from Central Luzon and Calabarzon police regional offices and from the national police headquarters in Camp Crame. Dela Rosa did not give the specific number of personnel involved.

“We have our actions taken but we cannot really divulge to the public all our plans because it will become ineffective if we reveal everything,” Dela Rosa explained.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Oscar Albayalde earlier said each police district in Metro Manila would deploy 319 personnel to augment the forces of the Manila Police District.

On Thursday, Dela Rosa also imposed a gun ban in Manila a day before and after the Traslacion.

The suspension of all permits to carry firearms outside of residence will be in effect from 8 a.m. of Jan. 8 until 8 a.m. of Jan. 10.

Around 12 million devotees of the Black Nazarene are expected to flock to Manila for the annual Traslacion.

–