PHOTO BY JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa admitted that it was the police’s fault why some members of the terrorist group Ansar Al-Khalifa managed to sneak in bombs to Metro Manila despite President Duterte’s placing the country under state of national lawlessness.
“I admit that they were able to pass through our security checkpoints. That’s our fault. Our efforts are still wanting. It’s not enough yet, I admit,” Dela Rosa said in a press conference at Camp Crame on Thursday.
Dela Rosa apologized when he presented to the media the two arrested men, who turned out to be members of the terror Ansar Al-Khalifa group, allegedly behind the attempted bombing near the US Embassy along Roxas Boulevard.
He said the suspects travelled by land to Manila carrying bombs. The duo hid the explosives under a stack of pillows inside their Toyota Revo and managed to pass through a security checkpoint.
Dela Rosa also revealed that the suspects tried to detonate a bomb at the crowded Luneta Park in Manila but it did not go off.
Asked about the possible motive of the terrorists, Dela Rosa said they wanted to launch an attack for them to be recognized by the Jihadist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
“As of now, their status as [an ally of] ISIS is hanging in the balance. They believe they are under observation and if they can show that they are really that good, ISIS might give them some sort of recognition,” he said.
He said the Ansar Al-Khalifa wants to be recognized by the ISIS for financial reasons since the latter has control over oil wells in some portions of the Middle East.
At the same time, Dela Rosa said the terrorists wanted to ease the pressure in the ongoing war between the military and the Maute Group in Butig, Lanao del Sur.
The Maute Group was the same group responsible for the deadly bombing in Davao City last Sept. 2, killing 15 individuals and leaving over 70 persons injured.
The incident prompted President Duterte to declare a state of national lawlessness, increasing police checkpoints and visibility all over the country./rga