By Aaron Recuenco
Director General Oscar Albayalde, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), allayed yesterday fears of setting up sleeper cells of terror groups in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.
PNP Chief Dir. Gen Oscar Albayalde (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN)
Albayalde said that they have been in constant coordination with the military and other intelligence units of the government in order to address all the potential threats of bombings and other attacks especially in the metropolis.
“We focus on intensifying intelligence-gathering and that is the reason why there are several people who were already arrested here in the National Capital Region,” said Albayalde.
He is referring to arrest of members of extremist group—from members of the Abu Sayyaf Group to Maute Group—the latest was Maute Group member Unday Macadato who was collared in Cubao in Quezon City.
“These are but indications that we have good partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),” said Albayalde.
Earlier, Army chief Lt. Gen. Rolando Bautista said that the international terror group ISIS has slepper cells in Visayas and Luzon.
But Albayalde said there is no cause for alarm as both the PNP and the AFP are doing all the effort to deny terror group the opportunity to conduct atrocities in Metro Manila and other areas in Visayas and Luzon.
He said that while there maybe some members of terror groups in Metro Manila, they are usually hiding, resting and earn money for their return in Mindanao.
“They know that we are tightly guarding Luzon, especially Metro Manila,” said Albayalde.
“They also know that we have good relationship with Moslem communities here. We have good support from Moslem communities especially here in Metro Manila,” he added.