By: Genalyn D. Kabiling
The government is still hunting down nearly 200 terror suspects and supporters who could launch lone wolf attacks in the country, according to a military spokesman.
Armed Forces spokesman Major Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. has warned the public about the threat posed by these fugitives included in the martial law order issued by authorities even after the end of the terror siege in Marawi City.
“Out of the names indicated in the arrest order which is almost about 300, if I’m not mistaken, there were only about a hundred, most likely more than a hundred who were arrested,” Padilla said during a Palace press briefing. “So a big part of that list still remains at large. So remember, they still remain at large so they still pose a threat. Sila’y maaaring pagmulan ng mga tinatawag ng mahal na Pangulo na lone wolf attacks,” he added.
He said the terror suspects, included in the arrest warrant for their involvement in the rebellion in Marawi City, might be hiding somewhere in Metro Manila, Visayas, or Mindanao. The fugitives included alleged members of the Maute terror group, Abu Sayyaf Group, and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
“So hindi natin alam kaya nga binabantayan natin at mino-monitor natin at patuloy ang imbestigasyon,” he said.
As the government remains on guard against these threats, Padilla also urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities to keep these terrorists at bay. “We can only prevent these kinds of attacks if every citizen will do their part,” he said.
“Kailangang magkaisa tayo, kasi hindi biro ang banta ng terorismo. Masuwerte tayo ngayon, wala pang nangyayari tulad ng nangyari sa Gitnang Silangan at sa Europa dito sa ating bansa,” he said.
President Duterte recently cautioned that the Islamic State militants might resort to lone wolf attacks after being defeated in the siege in Marawi.
Duterte, addressing an assembly of Filipino professionals at the historic landmark Manila Hotel, said he feared such attacks by lone operators who could just ram a truck into a crowd or detonate explosives.
“The fighting has ended officially about a week ago but may I just remind you to be vigilant and always aware that extremism is the problem of the planet today. Retaliation and vengeance is not far-fetched,” he said during the 6th Philippine Professional Summit at the Manila Hotel last Thursday night.
