The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) announced Friday the arrest of an alleged terrorist in Quiapo, Manila.
In a statement sent to reporters, NCRPO Director Guillermo Eleazar said the suspect, identified as Jeran Aba alias Paito Pangadaman Liwal’g and Abu Sinan, an alleged member of the Dawlah Islamiyah (DI), an ISIS-inspired terror group based in Mindanao, was apprehended on Christmas Day, December 25, 2018.
DI is believed to be behind some of the recent bombing incidents in the country.
Eleazar said Aba was arrested by patrolling members of the Manila Police District (MPD) along Quezon Boulevard corner Norzagaray Street in Quiapo.
Police said village officials spotted Aba with a pistol tucked in his waist while he was getting off a tricycle.
Alarmed, the officials reported the sighting to cops who were passing by the area.
The patrolling cops confronted Aba and invited him to a police precinct for questioning. However, the suspect allegedly resisted arrest.
Police were forced to confiscate Aba’s gun. As they frisked him, they also discovered a grenade in his possession, Eleazar said.
Aba was immediately brought to the police station where cops learned about his identity.
During interrogation, Eleazar said Aba admitted being a former member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2016. He also informed them of his participation in the Maute Terror Group-led seige in Marawi City in 2017.
“He was planning to conduct an IED [improvised explosive device] attack in the NCR during the holiday season and incoming festivals,” Eleazar said in the statement.
A police source who refused to be identified said the NCRPO delayed the announcement of the terror suspect’s arrest to avoid “unnecesary panic” among the public, especially since it happened on Christmas Day and there was the anticipated Traslacion.
Aba was charged with violation Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act; RA 9516 or illegal possession of explosives; and resisting arrest.
Prior to Aba’s arrest, the NCRPO also arrested another terror suspect identified as Sudais Asmad alias Sen, Abu Nas, Suhud, and Jul on December 20 in Binondo, Manila.
Asmad was said to be a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who serves as its liaison officer and escort/guide of “Balik Islam” (Muslim reverts) from Luzon to Basilan. (Martin A. Sadongdong)
