Sayyaf men ‘can reach as far as Metro Manila,’ warns Dela Rosa

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has admitted that the Mindanao-based Abu Sayyaf terrorists are travelling from one province to another and even reaching as far as Metro Manila.

“Matagal na silang nakakaikot. Actually, kapag lumalabas ’yan walang armas at solo ang lakad,” Dela Rosa said in a press conference at Camp Crame on Tuesday.

“They can reach us as far as Metro Manila. Let’s be frank about that. But minomonitor pa natin,” he added.

This was after reports that six members of the bandit group, led by one Commander Messiah, arrived in Cebu last Friday purportedly to “abduct prominent personalities.”

Supt. Julian Entoma, chief of the regional intelligence division of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), also alerted people on possible terrorist attacks in the region, like bombing attacks in malls and other establishments.

Asked by Dela Rosa about the reports, Central Visayas regional police head Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, during a command conference at Crame, admitted receiving information last Friday but said it has not been confirmed yet.

Taliño said the Abu Sayyaf terrorists reportedly went to Negros Oriental from Dapitan, Zamboanga, then travelled to Cebu.

Senior Supt. Manolo Ozaeta, PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) chief, said the information on the Abu Sayyaf members, which came from Entomo, was not supposed to be released to media.

Ozaeta explained to Dela Rosa that AKG operatives are still in the process of validating the information.

“Dapat, sir, hindi pa nilabas ’yung information na ’yon kasi ’yung information na ’yon bina-validate pa. Sinusundan ng mga bata,” he said.

Ozaeta said the Abu Sayyaf members have reportedly returned to Zamboanga.

Dela Rosa then said: “So ’yon ang huling balita. Bumalik na ng Zamboanga. Nasundan pero hindi nahuli.”/rga