MANILA, Philippines – Security forces raided over the weekend five suspected terrorist safehouses in Metro Manila and nearby Rizal province but found none of the six to nine terrorists believed to be planning to bomb the annual Black Nazarene religious procession in Quiapo, Manila.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said authorities raided three safehouses in Rizal and two in Metro Manila, one of which was in the Baseco compound in Tondo, Manila.
“There was no trace [of the suspects]. We’re still continuing the operation,” Gazmin told reporters Monday after he presided over an hour and a half briefing of the security and crowd assistance plans laid down by various agencies for the day-long procession.
He said they have not determined which group the suspects belong to, but denied that they have any foreign link.
The suspects came from Mindanao and one of them came from Marawi City, according to Gazmin.
“It could be Abu Sayyaf. It could be MILF SOG [Moro Islamic Liberation Front Special Operations Group]. We cannot be conclusive at this point,” he said.
In a news conference on Sunday, the eve of the annual Black Nazarene feast, President Benigno Aquino III warned of a terrorist threat to the celebration since a group of terrorists were found to be moving around in Metro Manila.
“There is a threat and the President deemed it necessary to handle it himself to make sure that all preparations are in place. It is better to be prepared than sorry,” Gazmin said.
Gazmin convened the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. to go over the plans of various government and non-government agencies even as the procession was underway.